Barry University

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Life on Barry University's Miami Shores campus blends the residential college experience with the advantages of a major metropolitan area just minutes away. About 600 students live on campus in residence halls that house a mix of freshmen and upperclassmen. The campus provides a contained environment for study and community building, while Miami's beaches, restaurants, cultural venues, and entertainment options remain easily accessible. The subtropical climate allows outdoor activity year-round, with campus grounds offering green spaces for study and relaxation. Student organizations at Barry reflect the university's varied student body and commitment to service. Campus ministry provides spiritual programming for Catholic students while welcoming those of other faiths. Cultural organizations celebrate the various backgrounds represented in the student population. Service organizations connect students with community needs in Miami and beyond. Academic and professional organizations help students build networks in their career fields. The student government advocates for student interests and programs campus events. Athletics at Barry compete at the NCAA Division II level, with the Buccaneers fielding teams in sports including basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, rowing, and softball. Student athletes balance genuine competition with academic demands, benefiting from the attention possible at a smaller institution. Intramural sports and fitness facilities serve students not competing at the varsity level. The campus recreation center provides workout equipment, group fitness classes, and opportunities for casual athletic activity.

Location & Surroundings

Miami Shores, where Barry University makes its home, sits in the northeastern section of Miami-Dade County, a residential community of about 10,000 people distinct from but connected to the greater Miami metropolitan area. The neighborhood's tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and small-town feel contrast with the urban intensity of Miami proper just to the south. Barry's campus, the largest undeveloped green space in the immediate area, provides an oasis of calm while remaining connected to everything Miami offers. Miami itself ranks among America's most internationally connected cities, with particularly strong ties to Latin America and the Caribbean. The city's population includes substantial communities from Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and throughout the hemisphere. This global character shapes business, culture, food, and daily life in ways that distinguish Miami from other American cities. For Barry students, this international environment provides exposure to global perspectives and career opportunities connected to international trade, healthcare, and other sectors. The subtropical climate brings warm temperatures year-round, with genuine seasons marked more by precipitation patterns than temperature changes. Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild and dry, with temperatures that rarely drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Beaches, the Everglades, and other natural attractions sit within easy driving distance. The cost of living in Miami has risen substantially in recent years, creating challenges for students and young graduates that the university works to address through financial aid and local partnerships.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Barry University graduates enter careers across South Florida and beyond, with particular strength in healthcare, education, law, and social services. Nursing graduates work in hospitals and clinics throughout the region, while physician assistant program alumni provide primary care in underserved communities. Education graduates teach in South Florida schools, often serving the same communities from which they came. Law school graduates join firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations. The university's location in the Miami metropolitan area provides career advantages for students interested in international business, healthcare, and other fields where South Florida serves as a regional hub. Internship and clinical placement opportunities connect students with employers during their studies, often leading to job offers upon graduation. The alumni network, while not as large as those of major research universities, provides genuine connections with graduates who remember their Barry experiences and want to help newer alumni succeed. Graduate and professional school represents a common path for Barry undergraduates, particularly those in pre-health tracks. The university's health sciences programs prepare students for medical, dental, physician assistant, and nursing graduate education. Law school, business graduate programs, and doctoral studies in education and other fields attract Barry alumni seeking advanced credentials. Faculty relationships developed during undergraduate years support applications through recommendation letters and advising.

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