Coastal Carolina University has a new accolade to entice prospective students to its campus: It has been named one of the Most Beautiful Coastal College Campuses by "Best Value Schools," a national website that provides rankings on different aspects of colleges and universities.

Coastal Carolina was number 12 of the top 30 most beautiful coastal college campuses in the United States. It ranked higher than colleges such as the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and the University of Hawaii, Hilo.

The beach colleges were chosen and ranked based on the following criteria: location, emphasizing easy access to beaches; awards and recognition; student enjoyment; the number of notable features; and other characteristics, such as historical significance and environmental friendliness.

CCU's thumbnail sketch on the website reads: "Students interested in marine biology flock to South Carolina's Coastal Carolina University due to the school's prime coastal location. Just minutes from vacation hotspot Myrtle Beach, the 631-acre campus consists of 102 main buildings, including the Coastal Science Center and the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies.

"Students receive plenty of hands-on experience at Waties Island, an 1,100-acre barrier island owned by the University and used exclusively for the study of marine science and wetland biology. Amateur golfers may also enjoy swinging a club toward the view at the 18-hole General James Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University."