1. Home
  2. Education
  3. College Admissions

Atlantic Coast Conference

From New England to Florida, ACC Schools Shine on the Field and in the Classroom

By , About.com Guide

A university in the Atlantic Coast Conference may be a good choice if you want your college experience to include packed stadiums, deafening arenas and massive tailgate parties. Be sure to click on the "learn more" links below to find out what it takes to get accepted. You'll discover that these universities have strong academics and research to complement their athletics.

Compare the Atlantic Coast Conference schools: SAT chart | ACT chart

Explore other top conferences: ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac 10 | SEC

Also be sure to visit the About.com guides for college football and basketball.

Boston College

Boston Universitydrummerchris / Flickr
The oldest and wealthiest Jesuit university in the country, Boston College features beautiful Gothic architecture on a campus in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill. The undergraduate business program is particularly strong. learn more
  • School type: private, Jesuit
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 9,880 (2006)
  • Team: Eagles

Clemson University

Clemson University Football StadiumJas&Suz / Flickr
A highly-ranked public university in South Carolina, Clemson sits among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the shores of Lake Hartwell. Business and engineering are particularly popular, and Clemson distinguishes itself with a strong commitment to service learning. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 14,172 (2006)
  • Team: Tigers

Duke University

Duke Universitycb2vi3 / flickr
Of all the Atlantic Coast Conference universities, Duke is the hardest to get into. Both the acceptance rate and caliber of student makes Duke comparable to several of the Northeastern Ivy League schools. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke's campus has some stunning Gothic architecture. learn more
  • School type: private
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 6,330 (2006)
  • Team: Blue Devils

Florida State University

Florida State UniversityJ-a-x / Flickr
One of the flagship campuses of the Florida state university system, FSU sits just west of Tallahassee and an easy drive to the Gulf of Mexico. Academic strengths at Florida State include music, dance and engineering. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 31,347 (2006)
  • Team: Seminoles

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Football Stadiumbrian.chu / Flickr
Located in Atlanta, Georgia Tech is an academic powerhouse that made it onto my list of top public universities and top engineering schools. And yes, their athletic programs are also excellent. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 12,361 (2006)
  • Team: Yellow Jackets

Maryland (University of Maryland at College Park)

University of Maryland Patterson Hallforklift / Flickr
Another highly-ranked public university, the University of Maryland at College Park is the flagship campus of Maryland's state university system. College Park is an easy Metro ride into Washington, D.C., and the university has benefited by numerous research partnerships with the federal government. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 25,154 (2006)
  • Team: Terrapins

Miami (University of Miami)

University of MiamiBurningQuestion / Flickr
Business and nursing are extremely popular at the University of Miami, and the school also boasts of a top-ranked marine biology program. Located in the well-to-do suburb of Coral Springs, not Miami, the university's campus is defined by modern white buildings, fountains, and palm trees. learn more
  • School type: private
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 10,509 (2006)
  • Team: Hurricanes

North Carolina (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

UNC Chapel Hill Wilson LibraryMarchmain05 / Wikimedia Commons
Academically, UNC Chapel Hill is probably the strongest of the public universities on this list, and their Kenan-Flagler Business School made my list of top undergraduate business schools. Opened in 1795, Chapel Hill has a beautiful and historic campus. For North Carolina residents, the university is an exceptional value. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 17,124 (2006)
  • Team: Tar Heels

North Carolina State University

NC State University Footballopus2008 / Flickr
North Carolina State University is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it is the largest university in North Carolina. The most popular undergraduate programs are in business, engineering, the sciences and the social sciences. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 23,730 (2006)
  • Team: Wolfpack

Virginia (University of Virginia at Charlottesville)

University of VirginiaMr. T in DC / Flickr
Established by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia has one of the most historic and beautiful campuses in the U.S. It aslo has the largest endowment of any public university. The University of Virginia, along with Georgia Tech and UNC Chapel Hill, made my list of top public universities. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 14,676 (2006)
  • Team: Cavaliers

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech StadiumCipherSwarm / Flickr
Located in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech typically ranks among the top 10 public engineering schools. It also earns high marks for its business and architecture programs. Virginia Tech maintains a corps of cadets, and since its founding in 1872 the school has been classified as a military college. learn more
  • School type: public
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 21,997 (2006)
  • Team: Hokies

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest UniversityJijithecat / Wikimedia Commons
One of the four private universities in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest was one of the first highly competitive colleges to make SAT and ACT scores optional for admissions. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest provides its students with a great balance of a small college academic experience and a large university sports scene. learn more
  • School type: private
  • Undergraduate enrollment: 4,332 (2006)
  • Team: Demon Deacons

Explore College Admissions

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. College Admissions
  4. Choosing a College
  5. Atlantic Coast Conference - College Admissions for the Atlantic Coast Conference>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.