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If, like me, you’re someone who has self-diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder (otherwise aptly known as “SAD”), then no matter how amazing your prospective study destination is, chances are, you’re going to be just a little bit miserable if you don’t get enough sun.
In lieu of a world ranking of sunny cities- with the exception of a sun index chart which points to (mainly) deserts around the world, I’m going to introduce some of the sunniest places in the world and the ranked universities within its nearest proximity. First, were ranking the sunniest places in the US and the sunniest places in Canada.
Arizona seems to win hands-down as one of the sunniest places in the US. The city of Yuma reported 90% days of sun according to weather.com.
Although no QS-ranked universities are located in the sunniest city in North America (and some argue, the world!) there are plenty of Yuma-adjacent universities which are ranked pretty highly.
I’m sure not many of you are surprised to see California on a list of the sunniest places in the US. With an average of 88% sunshine, Redding is the second sunniest US city. Here are some top-ranked universities in California.
Miami, where you can “Party-in-the-city-where-the-heat-is-on” is another of the sunniest places in the US with the sun-and-education seeker’s paradise scoring 70% and 3154 hours of sunshine a year and some of the world’s best universities.
Don’t let the funny little guys on South Park ruin your thoughts of Colorado. Besides from being rated as among the most desirable places to live in the US, Denver, the state’s largest city is also one the sunniest places in the US receiving 69% and 3107 hours of sunshine a year.
Not usually known for its sunny weather, Oklahoma, with 3089 hours of sunshine a year (more than San Diego, California-3055 and Tampa, Florida- 66), is a bit of a hidden gem for sun-seeking students.
Canada’s temperature varies widely depending on where you are and what time of year it is. The country may drop down to temperatures only appropriate for polar bears, but it’s certainly not short of sun.
Although receiving nowhere near as many hours of sun as the US top sunny-destination, Calgary, Alberta tops the sunniest places in Canada and receives a respectable 2405 hours and 333 days of sunshine a year. Edmonton is also a strong sun spot with 2299 hours and 321 days of sun a year.
If you can stand the winters averaging −20 °C (−4 °F), Winnipeg, Manitoba receives 2372 hours and 318 days of sunshine a year. In 14 days of the year, temperatures can exceed even 30 °C (86 °F) with good chances of Indian Summers.
Averaging 317 days of sun a year, Victoria, BC is third on the sunniest places in Canada list. The province is also home to many of the world’s top universities.
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Sunniest Places in the US and Canada
Vickie Chiu
Updated Aug 22, 2024Save
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If, like me, you’re someone who has self-diagnosed Seasonal Affective Disorder (otherwise aptly known as “SAD”), then no matter how amazing your prospective study destination is, chances are, you’re going to be just a little bit miserable if you don’t get enough sun.
In lieu of a world ranking of sunny cities- with the exception of a sun index chart which points to (mainly) deserts around the world, I’m going to introduce some of the sunniest places in the world and the ranked universities within its nearest proximity. First, were ranking the sunniest places in the US and the sunniest places in Canada.
Sunniest places in the US
1) Arizona
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deegephotos/
Arizona seems to win hands-down as one of the sunniest places in the US. The city of Yuma reported 90% days of sun according to weather.com.
Although no QS-ranked universities are located in the sunniest city in North America (and some argue, the world!) there are plenty of Yuma-adjacent universities which are ranked pretty highly.
Check out:
University of Arizona
Rank:163
Arizona State University
Rank: 336
University of New Mexico
Rank: 401-450
Read more about studying in Arizona >
2) California
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/
I’m sure not many of you are surprised to see California on a list of the sunniest places in the US. With an average of 88% sunshine, Redding is the second sunniest US city. Here are some top-ranked universities in California.
Check out:
Stanford University
Rank: 11
Caltech
Ranked: 12
University of California, Berkeley
Rank: 21
UCLA
Rank: 34
University of California, San Diego
Rank: 77
University of California, Santa Barbara
Rank: 118
University of California, Davis
Rank: 101
University of Southern California
Rank: 107
University of California, Santa Cruz
Rank: 287
University of California, Riverside
Rank: 325
Read more about studying in California >
3) Florida
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougtone/
Miami, where you can “Party-in-the-city-where-the-heat-is-on” is another of the sunniest places in the US with the sun-and-education seeker’s paradise scoring 70% and 3154 hours of sunshine a year and some of the world’s best universities.
Check out:
University of Florida
Rank: 161
University of Miami
Rank: 230
Florida State University
Rank 401-450
Read more about studying in Florida >
4) Colorado
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/
Don’t let the funny little guys on South Park ruin your thoughts of Colorado. Besides from being rated as among the most desirable places to live in the US, Denver, the state’s largest city is also one the sunniest places in the US receiving 69% and 3107 hours of sunshine a year.
Check out:
University of Colorado at Boulder
Rank: 142
Colorado State University
Rank: 363
Read more about studying in Colorado >
5) Oklahoma
Image source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirkhansen/
Not usually known for its sunny weather, Oklahoma, with 3089 hours of sunshine a year (more than San Diego, California-3055 and Tampa, Florida- 66), is a bit of a hidden gem for sun-seeking students.
Check out:
University of Oklahoma
Rank: 401-450
Read more about studying in Oklahoma >
Sunniest Places in Canada
Canada’s temperature varies widely depending on where you are and what time of year it is. The country may drop down to temperatures only appropriate for polar bears, but it’s certainly not short of sun.
1) Alberta
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47096398@N08/
Although receiving nowhere near as many hours of sun as the US top sunny-destination, Calgary, Alberta tops the sunniest places in Canada and receives a respectable 2405 hours and 333 days of sunshine a year. Edmonton is also a strong sun spot with 2299 hours and 321 days of sun a year.
Check out:
University of Alberta
Rank: 100
University of Calgary
Rank: 218
2) Manitoba
Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47397250@N00/
If you can stand the winters averaging −20 °C (−4 °F), Winnipeg, Manitoba receives 2372 hours and 318 days of sunshine a year. In 14 days of the year, temperatures can exceed even 30 °C (86 °F) with good chances of Indian Summers.
Check out:
University of Manitoba
Rank: 397
3) British Columbia
Image source: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7716430894_935b8cb52a.jpg
Averaging 317 days of sun a year, Victoria, BC is third on the sunniest places in Canada list. The province is also home to many of the world’s top universities.
Check out:
University of British Columbia
Rank: 51
Simon Fraser University
Rank: 260
University of Victoria
Rank 292
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