Founded in 1925 during the historic South Florida land boom, the University of Miami is a premier private research university located in Coral Gables, Florida. Spanning a tropical 239-acre main campus located just seven miles south of downtown Miami, UM connects world-class academic preparation with direct access to South Florida's international finance, Latin American trade, healthcare, and digital technology hubs. You can examine its founding history and coastal expansion through the University of Miami Wikipedia entry.
When you attend UM, you enter a vibrant global community characterized by international diversity and interdisciplinary research. Living in Coral Gables allows you to study amidst palm-lined avenues, subtropical research gardens, and canal waterways while accessing global trade markets.
Premier Academic Programs
UM organizes its instruction across 12 distinguished schools and colleges holding national reputations:
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science: World-leading oceanographic institute conducting critical research in coral reef restoration, hurricanes, and marine ecosystems.
- Miami Herbert Business School: Global powerhouse in international finance, sustainable business strategy, healthcare administration, and real estate. Explore degree paths on the Miami Herbert Business School portal.
- Frost School of Music: Renowned conservatory famous for pioneering the Frost Method curriculum, merging classical performance with music business technology.
- Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine: Top-tier medical school driving clinical innovation at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- University of Miami School of Law: Leading center for international arbitration, ocean law, tax law, and entertainment policy.
"Magna est veritas, translated from Latin as Great is the truth, serves as the official motto of the University of Miami."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate life unfolds around Lake Osceola at the center of campus. Campus spirit revolves around Sebastian the Ibis, the energetic official mascot modeled after the marsh bird known in folklore for being the last wildlife to seek shelter before a hurricane and the first to emerge afterward. You can read about the origin story and fan traditions of this iconic mascot on the Sebastian the Ibis Mascot page. Cheering alongside fellow fans during Hurricanes athletic contests and participating in over 300 student organizations creates a memorable student culture.
Research Infrastructure and Oceanographic Innovation
UM operates an extraordinary multi-billion-dollar research framework advancing frontiers in ocean science and oncology:
- SUSTAIN Wind-Wave Tank: World's largest hurricane simulation laboratory, generating Category 5 wind speeds to study air-sea interactions.
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: America's top-ranked ophthalmology hospital, driving clinical research in vision restoration and retinal gene therapy. Learn more via UM Research Operations.
- Broad Stem Cell Center: Interdisciplinary facility advancing cell therapies for cardiovascular disease and spinal cord injuries.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk alongside global entertainment icons, business leaders, cabinet officers, and Hall of Famers, including:
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: Global actor, producer, and entrepreneur who earned his degree while playing football for the Miami Hurricanes.
- Gloria Estefan: Seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and businesswoman who graduated from UM.
- Sylvester Stallone: Oscar-nominated actor, screenwriter, and director who studied drama at the University of Miami.
- Ray Lewis: Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker who led Miami football before his storied NFL career.