College is meant to be one of the most memorable times in a person‘s life. Between making new friends, gaining independence, and getting an education, college campuses aim to provide a well-rounded experience. Many schools recognize that the beauty of the campus itself plays a role in this experience. From gorgeous architecture to sprawling green spaces, some campuses seem almost magical in their appearance. If you want your college years to be spent soaking up gorgeous views along with knowledge, consider applying to one of these 20 schools with the most beautiful campuses in the country.
1. Elon University – Elon, NC
Elon University tops the Princeton Review‘s list of most beautiful campuses for 2020, and for good reason. Its red brick buildings with white columns and detailing look elegant against lush green lawns and colorful trees. The campus holds botanical garden status for its many gardens and green spaces meant for relaxing and socializing. The school has gone through rapid expansion, with many LEED certified sustainably designed modern buildings added recently to complement the traditional ones.
2. Bryn Mawr College – Bryn Mawr, PA
This women‘s college campus near Philadelphia dates back to 1885 and features iconic Collegiate Gothic architecture among cherry blossom trees and lush greenery. Its historic buildings coexist beautifully with newer sustainable ones on the arboretum campus. Travel + Leisure named it one of the world’s most beautiful college campuses. Students love studying or relaxing outdoors on nice days.
3. University of San Diego – San Diego, CA
The University of San Diego campus is inspired by 16th century Spanish Renaissance architecture, with hand-painted tiles and wooden beams. Its centerpiece Immaculata Church has a stunning mosaic dome. The campus overlooks Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, providing amazing views along with ocean breezes. The scenic location and buildings made it an ideal setting for a season of Netflix’s hit teen drama “Elite”.
4. Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt’s mix of lively urban Nashville setting and 300 acre arboretum campus full of gardens and over 300 tree species makes it a popular choice. The Victorian-style brick buildings and quads provide a beautiful yet practical layout for student life. Ranked the #1 school for Best Quality of Life and Their Students Love These Colleges by Princeton Review in 2020, it’s considered one of the loveliest campuses in the South.
5. University of Richmond – Richmond, VA
The University of Richmond campus is considered an arboretum, with over 100 tree species across 350 acres adjacent to a lake. Its collegiate gothic style buildings date back over a century, with newer additions complementing them well. Scenic Westhampton Lake provides a relaxing natural area for walks between classes or studying outside on nice days under the willows.
6. Berry College – Mount Berry, GA
Covering over 26,000 acres of lush green rolling hills and woodlands, Berry College has miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails across its vast campus. Its English Gothic Revival architecture buildings fit beautifully into the countryside, with stone arches and ivy covered walls. Two lakes provide scenic views and opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing. Wildlife like deer are abundant.
7. Florida Southern College – Lakeland, FL
Florida Southern College’s campus features the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in the world. The arts college has retained his unique organic architectural style in newer buildings, with covered walkways connecting them across lush subtropical grounds. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark, its campus appeals to design and architecture enthusiasts.
8. Sewanee: University of the South – Sewanee, TN
Set atop the Cumberland Plateau overlooking the mountains, Sewanee‘s 13,000 acre campus provides plenty of southern charm.Buildings made of stone quarried on site give it a medieval feel, with towering oak trees and winding paths connecting them across lush green spaces. An iconic campus landmark is All Saints’ Chapel with its dramatic architecture and stained glass windows. Outdoorsy students thrive with the incredible setting.
9. Washington University in St. Louis – St. Louis, MO
Wash U‘s campus features collegiate gothic style buildings made of local Missouri granite and limestone, surrounded by meticulously landscaped lawns and trees. Its setting adjacent to suburban Forest Park has also allowed the campus to retain a peaceful, world-apart feel while still immersed in a great city. The campus architecture served as inspiration for the fictitious Edwards University campus in the Netflix political drama House of Cards.
10. Bucknell University – Lewisburg, PA
Overlooking the West Branch Susquehanna River, Bucknell‘s campus is known for gorgeous views in a hilly, wooded setting in rural central Pennsylvania. Fall is especially stunning when the leaves change color. State-of-the-art facilities neighbor historic 19th century brick buildings across neatly manicured lawns and flower gardens. The campus‘s central feature “The Grove” offers a peaceful tree-shaded lawn to relax.
11. Rice University – Houston, TX
Rice University‘s 300-acre campus full of trees and green space provides an oasis apart from the hustle and bustle of Houston. Its elegant Byzantine-style buildings with archways, columns and sand-colored bricks look stunning while also providing shade and cooling. Live oaks draped in Spanish moss pepper the campus, with a central quad featuring a tranquil artificial lake to reflect the scenery.
12. Lehigh University – Bethlehem, PA
Nestled at the foot of South Mountain in Bethlehem, Lehigh‘s picturesque campus features castle-like architecture and the gorgeous scenery of the Lehigh Valley. Its buildings integrate the rugged nature of the landscape beautifully rather than dominating it. The Asa Packer campus is designated an arboretum, with over 4000 trees across only 1,600 acres. Views of the historic mountain ridge are visible from multiple points.
13. Loyola Marymount University – Los Angeles, CA
Situated on the bluffs overlooking west L.A. and Playa Vista, Loyola Marymount’s campus enjoys ocean breezes and views from multiple vantage points. Sunken Gardens with fountains, red tile roofs and adobe colored walls give it a Mediterranean ambiance. Many newer buildings continue the California Spanish Colonial architecture style across the 150 green acres. The campus even has its own Lifeguard tower and access to beach volleyball courts.
14. Wellesley College – Wellesley, MA
One of the most acclaimed members of the Seven Sisters women’s colleges, Wellesley lives up to expectations in terms of campus beauty across its 500 acre wooded landscape. Its tranquil Lake Waban setting complements architecturally significant buildings dating from the college’s 1875 founding. Newer sustainable admissions building, multimedia library and arts center integrate seamlessly for a contemporary yet classic look.
15. Mount Holyoke College – South Hadley, MA
Consisting of nearly 1200 acres, Mount Holyoke’s campus extends out from its abbey-like center across fields, forests and two lakes. Over eighty buildings from varying eras retain architectural cohesion with signature red bricks. The meandering campus layout reveals lovely surprises like waterfalls, gardens and greenhouses around each bend. The natural setting provides inspiration and restoration amid challenging academic pursuits.
16. College of William & Mary – Williamsburg, VA
The Wren Building is the oldest academic building still in use in America, dating back to William & Mary‘s 1693 founding as one of the original Colonial colleges. Its iconic design set the precedent for many subsequent campus buildings across 1300 acres, featuring Georgian and Dutch architecture with English influences. Lake Matoaka provides a scenic focal point, fringed by forest trails great for jogging or biking to class.
17. Christopher Newport University – Newport News, VA
Situated near Colonial Williamsburg and historic Virginia sites like Jamestown, Christopher Newport University’s campus continues their architectural traditions, adapted for the needs of a modern public university. Recent additions like the new Trible Library could rival those found on Ivy League campuses in their grandeur. The campus centerpiece is the beautiful Pope Chapel with its arches, columns, portico and clocktower.
18. High Point University – High Point, NC
High Point University has invested nearly $2 billion in facilities and resources to upgrade the campus over the past decade to better compete with more elite institutions. Students now enjoy upgraded academic buildings as well as amenities like a luxury hotel for parents and an ice cream parlor. Newer architectural styles harmonize beautifully with 1920s Georgian style original campus buildings.
19. Hanover College – Hanover, IN
Overlooking the Ohio River, Hanover College’s scenic 650 acre campus is dominated by brick neo-classical style architecture, completed in 1959.The sloping lawn of the campus quad down to the river is often considered one of the most beautiful locations of any college campus. The views are equally impressive from the classically styled Pioneer Stadium. A lakeside amphitheater now hosts graduation ceremonies.
20. University of Puget Sound – Tacoma, WA
The University of Puget Sound campus covers 97 acres of peaceful park-like landscape within easy reach of Downtown Tacoma. Signature Tudor Gothic brick buildings with subtle archways and towers house liberal arts classrooms and living space. Recent additions include modern sustainable dorms, a natural history museum and aquatics center. Outdoor seating areas nestled under tall evergreens encourage contemplation or conversation on nice days.
