56 American Colleges With Surrounding Cities Full of Career and Networking Potential

35. UC San Diego – La Jolla's Biotech Beach & Wireless Valley Pioneer

Nestled in La Jolla, UC San Diego is a research juggernaut powering one of the nation's most concentrated biotech, life sciences, and telecommunications hubs—often dubbed "Biotech Beach" and a historic heart of "Wireless Valley" thanks to giants like Qualcomm. Students in biology, bioengineering, computer science, and medicine have unparalleled access to groundbreaking research, internships, and careers with world-leading pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Pfizer, Illumina), innovative biotech startups, and wireless technology pioneers. UCSD's entrepreneurial culture and stunning coastal setting make it a dynamic environment for future innovators.