The University of Miami, also known as The U, is a private institution that was founded in 1925. Located in suburban Coral Gables just south of downtown Miami, Florida, The U has over 140 departments and 12 different academic colleges with an emphasis on research activity. The University of Miami is known for its tropical campus setting and modern architecture that is quintessential to South Florida. 

The University of Miami boasts a range of reputable academic programs in the fields of medicine and atmospheric science, and their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast provides an excellent learning environment for those interested in studying oceanography. The graduation rate at The U is an impressive 81.4%, thanks in part to a low student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The U has a total undergraduate enrollment of around 18,000 students that take classes according to a semester-based academic calendar. Prospective students should note that Florida residents receive in-state tuition at a much lower rate than applicants from out-of-state. 

Outside of academics, the University of Miami athletic teams, represented by their campus mascot Sebastian the Ibis and known internationally as the Hurricanes, compete in the ACC with an annual football rivalry with the Florida State Seminoles. Notable alumni include former professional wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, singer Gloria Estefan, and the face of the Rocky series, Sylvester Stallone.