12 Starbucks college stores that are top of the class
Here’s your back-to-school guide of some of the Starbucks stores at colleges and universities that are worth a visit to campus.
Whether it’s a late-night study session or an early morning dash before class, here’s your back-to-school guide to some of the visit-worthy Starbucks stores near colleges and universities.
University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Let’s start with the letter A and the University of Alabama Paul W. Bryant Museum, which celebrates the history of University of Alabama and legendary Crimson Tide football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The spacious, light-filled location is infused with school spirit – from the life-size elephant mural (and homage to the school mascot) that stands tall above the staircase, to the graphic lettering with the school’s rallying cry, “Roll Tide.”
Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona
Next up is the University & Forest store near the Arizona State University campus in downtown Tempe. The location, which opened in November 2019 features vibrant desert hues, and a patio perfect for enjoying those warm Arizona breezes. ASU has a special place in the hearts of Starbucks partners, more than 8,500 partners have earned tuition-free bachelor’s degrees through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan since the program began in 2014.
Gallaudet University – Washington, D.C.
Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 and is the world’s only university uniquely designed to educate Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The Signing Store at 6th & H near the Gallaudet campus is the nation’s first American Sign Language (ASL)-centric store, where store partners are proficient in ASL, whether they are hearing, hard of hearing or Deaf. The design features a custom mural with a host of letters, signs and symbols representing English, ASL, Deaf culture and coffee.
Howard University – Washington, D.C.
Just a couple of miles across town and you’ll find Howard University, one of more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the United States, and one of the top research universities in the nation. The Howard University store reflects its proud heritage through the design – with its alma mater etched on a wooden feature wall, modern graphics depicting the iconic clock tower and bison mascot, and a tile backsplash in the school’s signature shade of blue.
U.S. Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland
The 122 Main Street Starbucks in downtown Annapolis, Maryland is an anchor in this seaside community near the U.S. Naval Academy – it is a Military Family Store and a favorite destination for midshipmen on liberty. The store features a nautical theme, with watery hues and a custom art piece made with ship’s rope to form undulating pattern like ocean waves.
The Ohio State University – Columbus, Ohio
Running late to class? You can grab your coffee with time to spare at the Pickup Store at Neil Ave & 11th on The Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus, Ohio. This Starbucks® Pickup location, which opened in March 2021, was designed for a streamlined store experience, with a status board to helpfully track orders.
Shippensburg University – Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
The Ezra Lehman Memorial Library sits in the center of Shippensburg University’s campus and is at the heart of student life. The Shippensburg University Lehman Library store is a welcoming place in this friendly college town, located about half-way between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in south-central Pennsylvania’s Cumberland Valley.
Tec Santa Fe – Mexico City
The Starbucks store on the Santa Fe campus of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, called “Tec Santa Fe” for short, is one of the most unique college cafés in Mexico. The Tec Santa Fe store, which first opened its doors in January 2018, gets high marks for its modern design, featuring a distinctive mural of a siren holding a coffee plant created by the Mexican-born graphic designer and illustrator, Víctor Meléndez. Building on Starbucks commitment to sustainability, store partners have the opportunity to plant trees in the green areas of the campus.
University of Tilburg – Tilburg, Netherlands
The city of Tilburg in the southern Netherlands is known for its entrepreneurial spirit – so it’s no wonder it is also home to the University of Tilburg and one of the world’s top business schools. The University of Tilburg store features a modern design, with light fixtures that recall the shade of blue that’s popular in Dutch pottery. It’s a perfect jumping off point to explore the city, where you can see the classroom where a 13-year-old Vincent Van Gogh learned to draw and learn about the history of textile manufacturing at the nearby TextielMuseum.
University of Washington – Seattle
The University of Washington Suzzallo Library store is an inspiring place to study. The café, located just inside the main doors of the gothic building, honors its grand architecture with a design that is consistent with the historic beauty of the building. It offers comfortable seating for more than 100 customers with a mix of lounge chairs, soft sofas, café and bar seating, as well as community tables. It’s also a great place to recharge (literally!) with easy access to electrical outlets.
Widener University – Chester, Pennsylvania
One last store before we put down our pencils, and it’s a good one. It’s the café at the University Center at Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia. The bustling student center also has a post office, bank, convenience store and ATMs, making the store’s curvilinear banquette under the swooping ceiling and rosy mural a cozy place to relax after class.
