For many students, spring break, that American college tradition and much anticipated vacation, is the first opportunity in the year to plan a memorable getaway.
Checking your spring break dates is the important first step in planning your own special trip, and we’ve included an extensive list of dates for universities and colleges across the United States at the end of this article. Scroll through to find your school, and start thinking about destinations.
Spring break month
In general, spring break month is February, March or April, depending on where you are in the country, and the specific name your institution gives it may also vary. Most institutions, like the University of Texas and California State University, opt for a spring break during March. Smaller numbers, including the likes of Augusta State University, Georgia, hold their spring recess in April, while for others, such as Loyola University Chicago, it’s February.
How long does spring break last?
If you’re wondering how long college spring break is, it’s generally one week, though some schools may schedule a two-week vacation.
College spring break destinations
The best spring break getaway depends on what you’re looking for and what your budget is, so we’ve put together a range of spring break ideas to provide some inspiration. They include some of the most popular destinations, spring break road trips, unique locations and cheap ideas. See what appeals to you.
Top road trip destinations
South Padre Island, Texas
With long-lasting appeal, this is one of the most popular locations for spring break in the U.S., and easily accessible for southern colleges.
Panama City, Florida
A white-sand destination that’s a big hit with students looking to bask in Florida sunshine.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Perhaps the original beach party destination, it’s easy to get to from the East Coast and Midwest.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Besides Vegas’ famous appeal for partying, there are actually great things to do in the surrounding area, too.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
With miles of golden East Coast sand, Myrtle Beach is also an affordable option.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy offers Bourbon Street and Uptown for nights out, plenty of shrimp gumbo and comfortable 70-degree springtime temperatures.
Manhattan Beach, California
A beautiful Southern California beach town with surfing, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
For more information about these and other road trip destination ideas, check out our spring break cities and destinations articles, and the road trip planner.
What to pack: Don’t forget the essentials
It’s easy to forget the little things that make for a smooth trip – read “Packing the essentials for your road trip” for items to take for the journey. Not least of these is food: have a look at “Road trip: Food for thought when you’re traveling” if you like to snack.
5 popular international destinations
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This city is firmly on the spring break map thanks to its beaches, all-inclusive hotels, private villas and entertainment.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is now a top destination for spring-breakers. Punta Cana offers a typically tropical setting with good value.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Mo-Bay, as it’s known to the locals, may not be quite as laid back as normal when spring break arrives. Besides the nightlife, there are great watersport opportunities.
Cancun, Mexico
A long-time spring break getaway, the Hotel Zone draws students from all over the world, not just America.
Acapulco, Mexico
Located between the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and Acapulco Bay, you’ll find beaches, history and a high-energy atmosphere.
College spring break dates for 2020
Alabama
University of Alabama in Huntsville, March 28-April 4
University of Alabama, March 14-21
University of Alabama at Birmingham, March 14-21
Auburn University, March 7-14
Arizona
Arizona State University, March 7-14
Grand Canyon University, March 7-14
University of Arizona, March 7-14
Arkansas
University of Arkansas, March 21-28
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, March 21-28
Harding University, March 7-14
California
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, March 28-April 4
San Diego State University, March 28-April 4
San Jose State University, March 28-April 4
California Polytechnic State University, March 21-28
Stanford University, March 21-28
University of California, Irvine, March 21-28
University of California, Berkeley, March 21-28
California State University, Chico, March 14-21
University of Southern California, March 14-21
Loyola Marymount University, March 7-14
University of San Diego, Feb. 29-March 7
Pepperdine University, Feb. 22-29
Colorado
Colorado College, March 14-21
University of Colorado at Denver, March 14-21
Connecticut
Central Connecticut State University, March 14-21
Eastern Connecticut State University, March 14-21
Middlesex Community College, March 14-21
Trinity College, March 14-21
University of Connecticut at Hartford, March 14-21
University of Connecticut at Storrs, March 14-21
University of Hartford, March 14-21
University of New Haven, March 14-21
Western Connecticut State University, March 14-21
Connecticut College, March 7-14
Fairfield University, March 7-14
Quinnipiac University, March 7-14
University of Bridgeport, March 7-14
Wesleyan University, March 7-14
Yale University, March 7-14
Mitchell College, Feb. 29-March 7
Sacred Heart University, Feb. 29-March 7
Delaware
University of Delaware, March 28-April 4
District of Columbia
Gallaudet University, March 14-21
George Washington University, March 14-21
American University, March 7-14
Catholic University of America, March 7-14
Georgetown University, March 7-14
Florida
Florida State University, March 14-21
Rollins College, March 14-21
Stetson University, March 14-21
University of South Florida, March 14-21
Florida Institute of Technology, March 7-14
University of West Florida, March 7-14
Florida Gulf Coast University, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Florida, Feb. 29-March 7
Georgia
University of Georgia, March 7-14
Augusta State University, April 4-11
Idaho
Boise State University, March 21-28
Illinois
College of DuPage, March 28-April 4
Augustana College, March 21-28
DePaul University, March 21-28
Harper College, March 21-28
Northwestern University, March 21-28
University of Illinois at Chicago, March 21-28
Bradley University, March 14-21
Eastern Illinois University, March 14-21
Illinois Institute of Technology, March 14-21
Northeastern Illinois University, March 14-21
Rock Valley College, March 14-21
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, March 14-21
Carl Sandburg College, March 7-14
Illinois State University, March 7-14
Lewis University, March 7-14
Monmouth College, March 7-14
Roosevelt University, March 7-14
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, March 7-14
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, March 7-14
Southwestern Illinois College, March 7-14
Western Illinois University, March 7-14
Wheaton College Illinois, March 7-14
Robert Morris University, Feb. 29-March 7
Loyola University Chicago, Feb. 22-29
Indiana
DePauw University, March 21-28
Indiana State University, March 21-28
Anderson University, March 14-21
Indiana University Bloomington, March 14-21
Indiana University Northwest, March 14-21
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, March 14-21
Indiana University South Bend, March 14-21
Indiana University Southeast, March 14-21
Purdue University, March 14-21
Purdue University Northwest, March 14-21
Butler University, March 7-14
University of Evansville, March 7-14
University of Indianapolis, March 7-14
University of Notre Dame, March 7-14
University of Southern Indiana, March 7-14
Vincennes University, March 7-14
Ball State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Iowa
Iowa State University, March 14-21
University of Iowa, March 14-21
Kansas
Kansas State University, March 7-14
Kentucky
University of Kentucky, March 14-21
Northern Kentucky University, March 7-14
Thomas More University, March 7-14
University of Louisville, March 7-14
University of Pikeville, March 7-14
Western Kentucky University, March 7-14
Louisiana
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, March 21-28
Tulane University, April 5-13
Maryland
Anne Arundel Community College, March 14-21
College of Notre Dame of Maryland, March 14-21
Frostburg State University, March 14-21
Goucher College, March 14-21
Johns Hopkins University, March 14-21
McDaniel College, March 14-21
Salisbury University, March 14-21
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, March 14-21
Towson University, March 14-21
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, March 14-21
University of Maryland, College Park, March 14-21
Hood College, March 7-14
United States Naval Academy, March 7-14
Washington College, March 7-14
Mount Saint Mary’s College, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Loyola, Feb. 29-March 7
Massachusetts
Tufts University, March 14-23
Quincy College, March 7-15
Quinsigamond Community College, March 14-21
Pine Manor College, March 14-21
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, March 14-21
Bentley College, March 7-14
Boston University, March 7-14
Stonehill College, March 7-14
Wentworth Institute of Technology, March 7-14
Westfield State College, March 7-14
Boston College, Feb. 29-March 7
Clark University, Feb. 29-March 7
College of the Holy Cross, Feb. 29-March 7
Emerson College, Feb. 29-March 7
Northeastern University, Feb. 29-March 7
Michigan
Calvin College, March 21-28
Oakland University, March 14-21
Central Michigan University, March 7-14
Ferris State University, March 7-14
Northwood University, March 7-14
Wayne State University, March 7-14
Adrian College, Feb. 29-March 7
Albion College, Feb. 29-March 7
Alma College, Feb. 29-March 7
Delta College, Feb. 29-March 7
Grand Valley State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Michigan State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Oakland Community College, Feb. 29-March 7
Saginaw Valley State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Siena Heights University, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Michigan, Dearborn, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Michigan, Flint, Feb. 29-March 7
Western Michigan University, Feb. 29-March 7
Eastern Michigan University, Feb. 22-29
Kettering University, Feb. 29-March 7
Marygrove College, Feb. 29-March 7
Minnesota
St. Olaf College, March 21-28
University of St. Thomas, March 21-28
Minnesota State University, Mankato, March 7-14
Minnesota State University, Moorhead, March 7-14
St. Cloud State University, March 7-14
University of Minnesota, Duluth, March 7-14
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, March 7-14
Winona State University, March 7-14
Concordia College, Moorhead, Feb. 29-March 7
Mississippi
Mississippi State University, March 7-14
University of Mississippi, March 7-14
Missouri
University of Missouri, Columbia, March 21-28
University of Missouri, Kansas City, March 21-28
Montana
University of Montana, March 14-21
Nebraska
University of Nebraska at Kearney, March 21-28
University of Nebraska at Omaha, March 21-28
Creighton University, March 7-14
New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire, March 14-21
Saint Anselm College, Feb. 29-March 7
New Jersey
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, March 21-28
Rider University, March 21-28
College of New Jersey, March 14-21
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, March 14-21
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck-Hackensack, March 14-21
Kean University, March 14-21
Princeton University, March 14-21
Ramapo College of New Jersey, March 14-21
Rowan University, March 14-21
Rutgers University Camden, March 14-21
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, March 14-21
Rutgers University, Newark, March 14-21
Seton Hall University, Feb. 29-March 7
Union County College, March 14-21
William Paterson University, March 14-21
College of Saint Elizabeth, March 7-14
Monmouth University, March 14-21
Montclair State University, Feb. 29-March 7
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Feb. 29-March 7
Berkeley College, Feb. 22-29
Brookdale Community College, Feb. 22-29
New York
Cornell University, March 28-April 4
St. Bonaventure University, March 28-April 4
Buffalo State, March 21-28
Adelphi University, March 14-21
Barnard College, March 14-21
Canisius College, March 14-21
Clarkson University, March 14-21
Colgate University, March 14-21
Columbia University, March 14-21
Finger Lakes Community College, March 14-21
Fordham University, Rose Hill, March 14-21
Hamilton College, March 14-21
Hartwick College, March 14-21
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, March 14-21
Hofstra University, March 14-21
Hudson Valley Community College, March 14-21
Iona College, March 14-21
Manhattan College, March 14-21
Marist College, March 14-21
Morrisville State College, March 14-21
New York University, March 14-21
Niagara University, March 14-21
Onondaga Community College, March 14-21
Orange County Community College, March 14-21
Pace University, New York City, March 14-21
Pace University, Pleasantville, March 14-21
Sarah Lawrence College, March 14-21
St. Lawrence University, March 14-21
Stony Brook University, March 14-21
SUNY at Cortland, March 14-21
SUNY at Farmingdale, March 14-21
SUNY at New Paltz, March 14-21
SUNY at Brockport, March 14-21
SUNY at Fredonia, March 14-21
SUNY at Geneseo, March 14-21
SUNY at Oswego, March 14-21
SUNY at Oneonta, March 7-14
SUNY at Plattsburgh, March 14-21
SUNY at Potsdam, March 7-14
SUNY at Canton, March 7-14
SUNY at Delhi, April 11-18
Purchase College State University of New York, April 4-11
Syracuse University, March 14-21
University at Albany, March 14-21
University at Buffalo, March 14-21
Wagner College, March 14-21
Alfred State College, March 7-14
Alfred University, March 7-14
Cazenovia College, March 7-14
Dutchess Community College, March 7-14
Ithaca College, March 7-14
LeMoyne College, March 7-14
Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, March 7-14
Medaille College, March 7-14
Mohawk Valley Community College, March 7-14
Nazareth College, March 7-14
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, March 7-14
Rochester Institute of Technology, March 7-14
Russell Sage College, March 7-14
Skidmore College, March 7-14
University of Rochester, March 7-14
Utica College, March 7-14
Vassar College, March 7-14
College of Saint Rose, Feb. 29-March 7
Houghton College, Feb. 29-March 7
Siena College, Feb. 29-March 7
St. John Fisher College, Feb. 29-March 7
St. John’s University, Queens, Feb. 29-March 7
Queens College, April 8-16
Elmira College, April 11-18
Binghamton University, April 4-11
Fashion Institute of Technology, April 4-11
North Carolina
Alamance Community College, March 7-14
Appalachian State University, March 7-14
Duke University, March 7-14
East Carolina University, March 7-14
Elon University, March 14-21
High Point University, March 7-14
Lenoir Rhyne College, March 7-14
Meredith College, March 7-14
North Carolina State University, March 7-14
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, March 7-14
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, March 7-14
Wake Forest University, March 7-14
Western Carolina University, March 7-14
Davidson College, Feb. 29-March 7
Methodist College, Feb. 29-March 7
North Carolina A&T State University, Feb. 29-March 7
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Feb. 29-March 7
Wingate University, Feb. 29-March 7
Ohio
Kent State University, March 21-28
Miami University, Oxford, March 21-28
Oberlin College, March 21-28
Bowling Green State University, March 14-21
Denison University, March 14-21
University of Cincinnati, March 14-21
University of Dayton, March 14-21
Case Western Reserve University, March 7-14
Cleveland State University, March 7-14
College of Wooster, March 7-14
Heidelberg University, March 7-14
Ohio State University, March 7-14
Ohio State University, Mansfield Campus, March 7-14
Ohio University, March 7-14
Ohio Wesleyan University, March 7-14
University of Toledo, March 7-14
Wittenberg University, March 7-14
Xavier University, March 7-14
Youngstown State University, March 7-14
John Carroll University, Feb. 29-March 7
Kenyon College, Feb. 29-March 7
Muskingum College, Feb. 29-March 7
Ohio Northern University, Feb. 29-March 7
Shawnee State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Tiffin University, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Findlay, Feb. 29-March 7
Wright State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, March 14-21
Oregon
Cascade College, March 28-April 4
Oregon State University, March 21-28
University of Oregon, March 21-28
Pennsylvania
Bucks County Community College, March 21-28
Drexel University, March 14-21
Albright College, March 14-21
Allegheny College, March 14-21
Franklin and Marshall College, March 14-21
La Salle University, March 14-21
Lafayette College, March 14-21
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, March 14-21
University of Scranton, March 14-21
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Bryn Mawr College, March 7-14
Bucknell University, March 7-14
California University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Carnegie Mellon University, March 7-14
Delaware Valley College, March 7-14
DeSales University, March 7-14
Dickinson College, March 7-14
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Gannon University, March 7-14
Gettysburg College, March 7-14
Immaculata University, March 7-14
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Juniata College, March 7-14
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Lehigh University, March 7-14
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Lycoming College, March 7-14
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Penn State University, Harrisburg Campus, March 7-14
Penn State University, Altoona, March 7-14
Shippensburg University, March 7-14
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
St. Joes University, March 7-14
St. Vincent College, March 7-14
Susquehanna University, March 7-14
Swarthmore College, March 7-14
University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
University of Pittsburgh, March 7-14
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, March 7-14
Ursinus College, March 7-14
Washington and Jefferson College, March 7-14
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, March 7-14
Chestnut Hill College, Feb. 29-March 7
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 29-March 7
Duquesne University, Feb. 29-March 7
Elizabethtown College, Feb. 29-March 7
King’s College, Feb. 29-March 7
Lebanon Valley College, Feb. 29-March 7
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 29-March 7
Marywood University, Feb. 29-March 7
Mercyhurst College, Feb. 29-March 7
Moravian College, Feb. 29-March 7
Muhlenberg College, Feb. 29-March 7
Penn State University, University Park, March 7-14
Penn State University, York Campus, Feb. 29-March 7
Saint Francis College, Feb. 29-March 7
Temple University, Ambler, Feb. 29-March 7
Temple University, Main Campus, Feb. 29-March 7
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Feb. 29-March 7
Villanova University, Feb. 29-March 7
Widener University, Feb. 29-March 7
Wilkes University, Feb. 29-March 7
Cabrini College, Feb. 22-29
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 22-29
Delaware County Community College, Feb. 22-29
York College of Pennsylvania, April 9-13
Rhode Island
Brown University, March 21-28
Providence College, March 7-14
South Carolina
Clemson University, March 14-21
Coastal Carolina University, March 7-14
Furman University, March 7-14
University of South Carolina, March 7-14
Tennessee
East Tennessee State University, March 14-21
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, March 14-21
Austin Peay State University, March 7-14
Middle Tennessee State University, March 7-14
University of Memphis, March 7-14
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, March 7-14
Vanderbilt University, Feb. 29-March 7
Texas
Southern Methodist University, March 14-21
Texas Christian University, March 14-21
Texas Tech University, March 14-21
University of Texas at Austin, March 14-21
Baylor University, March 7-14
Texas A&M University, March 7-14
University of Houston, March 7-14
University of Mary Hardin Baylor, March 7-14
University of North Texas, March 7-14
University of Texas at Arlington, March 7-14
Utah
Utah Valley University, March 14-21
University of Utah, March 7-14
Virginia
Randolph Macon College, March 28-April 4
Hollins University, March 21-28
Old Dominion University, March 14-21
Virginia Military Institute, March 14-21
Virginia Wesleyan College, March 14-21
College of William and Mary, March 7-14
Ferrum College, March 7-14
Hampton University, March 7-14
James Madison University, March 7-14
Liberty University, March 7-14
Lynchburg College, March 7-14
Radford University, March 7-14
Randolph College, March 7-14
Sweet Briar College, March 7-14
University of Mary Washington, March 7-14
University of Richmond, March 7-14
University of Virginia, March 7-14
Virginia Commonwealth University, March 7-14
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, March 7-14
Bridgewater College, Feb. 29-March 7
Christopher Newport University, Feb. 29-March 7
George Mason University, March 7-14
Longwood University, Feb. 29-March 7
Mary Baldwin University, Feb. 29-March 7
Roanoke College, Feb. 29-March 7
Virginia State University, Feb. 29-March 7
Washington and Lee University, Feb. 29-March 7
West Virginia
Bethany College, March 21-28
Marshall University, March 21-28
Wheeling Jesuit University, March 21-28
Shepherd University, March 14-21
University of Charleston, March 14-21
West Virginia University, March 14-21
West Virginia University at Parkersburg, March 14-21
Fairmont State College, March 7-14
Wisconsin
Carthage College, March 7-14
Wyoming
University of Wyoming, March 14-21
Source: STA Travel
Written by:
Rob Looker is a senior copywriter for RoadLoans, I write about cars, money and their meeting place at the junction of direct auto lending. I’m a huge fan of nice cars, and have plenty of experience with the less than…
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