Most Beautiful Colleges and Universities in the USA
May 20, 2008 – 5:48 am by NickAmerican colleges and universities are rich with history and beauty. Luscious campuses built across the country feature brilliant architecture and landscaping. Many buildings have become national landmarks.We have ranked the top 20 most beautiful campuses in the nation. The list of world renown architects, who helped shape these school campuses, is endless.
On April 27, 1865, Senator Ezra Cornell offered his farm in Ithaca, New York, and $500,000 for the creation of Cornell University. Today, Cornell campus encompasses 745 acres. The main campus on East Hill in Ithaca is characterized by its diverse architectural style, including Victorian, Neoclassical buildings, Gothic, and modernist structures.
18) CUNY Brooklyn
The 26 acre Brooklyn campus, designed by Randolph Evans, feature Georgian-style buildings. The liberal arts instruction blend perfectly with the cultural backdrop of New York City.
17) Sewanee- University of the South
The centerpiece of the Sewanee campus, All Saints’ Chapel was designed by Edward McCrady. The chapel was completed in 2004, when the final stain glass window was installed.
The core Vanderbilt campus is compact. The Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta designated the campus as a national arboretum for its green space and abundance of trees (over 300 species).
15) Elon University
Elon’s campus, located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, has already been recognized by Princeton Review as one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses. The 525-acre campus is separated in seven major sections and the wooden grounds have been designated a botanical garden.
13) University of Hawaii, Manoa
Hawaii is perfect backdrop for a University campus, nestled between the city and the beach.
The 1,000 acre University of Alabama campus features several buildings in the Greek Revival style. Campus landmarks include the the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, the President’s Mansion (survived the Civil War) and Denny Chimes.
New College of Florida 144-acre bay front campus features several modernist architecture by I.M. Pei. The campuses main landmark are the three grand scale, Florida 1920s boom time residences listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
9 ) Scripps College
The 30-acre campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus was designed by renown architect Gordon Kaufmann in Mediterranean Revival Style architecture. A lush rose garden spans between Toll and Browning Halls. Several fruit trees are scattered on the campus including orange, pomegranate, grapefruit, kumquat, and loquat.
Rhodes College campus features thirteen stone Gothic architecture buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 100-acre campus maintains its Collegiate Gothic architecture even with newly built buildings.
Yale University campus is mostly constructed in a neo-Gothic architecture style with several iconic modern building. Many stone sculptures on campus depict college personalities.
Stanford University features the largest university campus in the world. The stunning campus retains its original Spanish-colonial style, distinguished by red tile roofs and solid sandstone masonry. It remains the quintessential west coast university.
The Flagler College main buildings used to be one of the states most luxurious hotels. The centerpiece of the campus, Ponce de Leon Hall is simply breathtaking. The campus is situated in historical downtown St.Augustine and consists of fifteen buildings.
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Pepperdine University campus covers several Malibu ridges, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It features a classic Californian and Mediterranean architecture with a stylized cross, symbolizing the school’s Christian origins.
Princeton’s campus features several renown buildings, presenting a mixture of Architectural movements (Collegiate Gothic style, Greek rival temples, modern buildings). The list of iconic architects, who designed building, is endless. Contemporary additions to the campus include IM Pei’s Spelman Halls and Robert Venturi’s Frist Campus Center. Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate, donated a man-made lake in 1830. The campus is situated one hour away from New York and Philadelphia.
40 Responses to “Most Beautiful Colleges and Universities in the USA”
Nothing against any of the schools selected, most or which I have not visited, but my own alma mater, Denison University, definitely deserves to be on this list. Denison University sits atop a hill overlooking the small Ohio village of Granville. Granville itself is a charming bit of New England nestled in the Welsh Hills of Ohio. The Denison University campus was originally laid out by famed architect Frederick Law Olmstead, and many of the beautiful original brick, stone and clapboard buildings still exist. The crowning glory of the hilltop campus is Swasey Chaple, whose brick and stone belltower are lit at night and can be seen from miles around, and whose carillon can be heard throughout the village of Granville. The campus is most beautiful in the Spring when all of the trees and spring flowers are in full bloom, or in the Fall when all of the maples, oaks and ash trees make the entire campus burn with color. If you have not had a chance to visit Denison University, you really should check it out!
By Randy May on Aug 7, 2008
Lame survey. I have been to see many of these colleges and disagree.
Duke not mentioned? Smith is lovely. Wellesley and Rhodes are mediocre at best in looks. Haven’t been to Scripps, but your pictures don’t wow me. Who picked this list??
By Barbara Davidson on Aug 7, 2008
Did you visit Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ? It was the Gould Estate and has formal gardens, a fountain spraying around a statue of Apollo driving his chariot, a mansion with scenes from the Canterbury Tales painted on the walls of the reception hall, a lagoon, and Georgian architecture Check it out. http://www.georgian.edu It’s gorgeous!
By Barbara Jackson on Aug 7, 2008
I have been to many of these campuses and I think Georgia Tech should definitely be in the top 20. It is much prettier than some of these campuses.
By Susan on Aug 7, 2008
My alma mater made it but I still think my husband’s Notre Dame is the most beautiful campus along with West Point Military Academy. Don’t know the criteria but certainly these two would have been in the top 5 of my list.
By Helen on Aug 7, 2008
Dartmouth and Notre Dame are both beautiful, but not mentioned. I haven’t heard of a lot of these places and I don’t think some of the pictures do justice to the campuses selected.
Also, this seems to judge on campus location - not just architecture and landscaping, etc.
By Rebecca on Aug 7, 2008
What about Duke? Duke Chapel, Duke Gardens and Duke Forest! Duke should be number 1. Anyone who’s ever set foot on Duke’s campus will tell you, it’s a wonderland.
By Charles on Aug 7, 2008
I agree that it is very surprising that Duke was not on the list. I am also puzzled that Vanderbilt didn’t score higher as its campus is exquisite. But Georgia Tech? Surely you are joking!
By Nicole on Aug 7, 2008
Someone missed the boat in not including William and Mary, Wake Forest, and Georgetown. As cool looking as UVA is, it’s but second best in the Commonwealth of Virginia after W&M. Prior comments about Duke are right on. I’m sort of keen on the UK campus too.
By Lee on Aug 7, 2008
What about Furman University? I think it compares favorably to most of these. I would also agree with those that nominate Duke.
I’ve been to Yale, and I don’t think beauty is one of its assets!
Georgia Tech????!!!! (Must be a joke.)
By Liz on Aug 8, 2008
Actually, Lee, the most beautiful college campus in Virginia by a mile is University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. People come on campus and their jaws drop. http://www.umw.edu
Also, I went to Vanderbilt and it’s nice for sure, but I’m not sure nice enough to be on this list.
By Susan on Aug 8, 2008
I went to Vanderbilt and believe it has a beautiful campus. But, my twin brother went to Duke. I always thought Duke had a more beautiful campus than Vanderbilt’s. What about the Duke gardens and the woods.
By Booker on Aug 8, 2008
Duke is awesome. I think it should be among the top ten.
By Carlos on Aug 8, 2008
Yes, Dartmouth College goes at the top of the list. And Duke deserves a mention for its verdant setting…
By Brent on Aug 8, 2008
This is a pointless survey — how can one choose from so many beautiful campuses?
Rather than indulge in self-congratulatory smugness it might be more productive to identify the ugliest and thus encourage them to improve. I can think of many campuses that deserve a mention. Cornell, Claremont, Kent State, Hampton … or did nobody think to include the HBCUs in the survey?
By Dr.P. on Aug 9, 2008
RE: My comment: I wish to make clear that Cornell, Claremont, Kent State and Hampton should be considered for their beauty, and not in the second category which I mentioned.
Dr.P.
By Dr.P. on Aug 9, 2008
Ole Miss with 11 acres of oaks and magnolias in the middle of campus is historically on “Most Beautiful Campus” lists. The landscaping is award winning. Surprised it missed this one list. I know it’s prettier than Vanderbilt.
By Nancy on Aug 9, 2008
I attended Vanderbilt and am well familiar with many of the schools listed on your survey. None surpass the beauty of the campus at The University of Mississippi (”Ole Miss”).
By David Trewolla on Aug 10, 2008
I drove through the U of Cininnati campus this weekend and thought it among the most beautiful I had ever scene.
Alabama? Nice campus, but definitely not in the same league with the others.
By Charles on Aug 10, 2008
It seems that the biggest qualification for this list is old (or old-looking) buildings. I really don’t think Vanderbilt is all that great and think Northwestern, with its shoreline, deserves to be on this list.
By Sarah on Aug 11, 2008
Just because a campus is historic does not necessarily make it beautiful. It’s hard to believe that Furman University in Greenville, SC did not make your listing. The fountains, the rose garden and the landscape make it a joy to the eyes.
By Jamal on Aug 11, 2008
Having been at both Baylor and Vanderbilt, I’m shocked to see Vanderbilt on the list and Baylor off of it.
By J on Aug 11, 2008
I have visited the Univ of Alabama and I was surprised it was on the list. Nice campus, but not in class with any others mentioned on the list. Even the University of Texas (big state school) is nicer than Univ of Alabama. And Baylor is charming; several other smaller schools also did not make the list (but maybe should not have, as most people would not recognize the campuses).
By Leesa on Aug 11, 2008
Western Kentucky University is beautiful…
By Diana on Aug 11, 2008
Having worked at Yale for many years and now Vanderbilt I can assure you that Vanderbilt is absolutely beautiful. The architecture, the gardens. Most people don’t make it around all of Vanderbilt. We also have the Peabody campus and the entire Medical Center facility and when you combine all that and the beautiful facilities you have a stunning campus.The phot used isn’t so hot however. I love all the naysayers comments. Obviously SEC rivalry. Vandy is one heck of a school and a beautiful campus.
By Myke Ondek on Aug 11, 2008
Furman University in Greenville, SC should be on this list. Duke should also be ranked above a lot of these schools for classic beauty.
Scripps? New College of FL? U of Alabama? How did they get on here?
By Matt on Aug 11, 2008
Someone mentioned that Cornell should be included. Did he not read the article??? Cornell was the first one listed. I was happy to see Cornell included, since I went there.
I agree that Vanderbilt is a pretty campus. But I certainly wouldn’t include the Medical Center area of the campus; it is an ugly concrete and brick jungle, and getting uglier and more congested every year.
By Steve on Aug 11, 2008
I am suprised to see University of Alabama on here. I have been to it many times,and have family that live in Tuscaloosa and have not even found it to be the most beautiful college in the state of Alabama. Sure, it has very nice old buildings, but I would think it would be judged on how long certian buildings have survived.
By Christy on Aug 11, 2008
As much as I loathe Duke, I must concede they´re campus is impressive and deserved to be on the list. Glad to see all the negative comments about the list… It shows how little credential it bears. UNC´s campus is much better than many on the list. Who made this list and how did they choose criteria to rank? Sorry, but they shouldn´t be allowed to make ratings again… ever.
By ryan on Aug 11, 2008
As a Rhodes alum I’m always thrilled to see it on the list and agree whole-heartedly that it’s one of the country’s most beautiful. I agree the slide show doesn’t do it justice…that campus is much, much prettier than the pictures here indicate.
By KB on Aug 11, 2008
I graduated from Stanford (#4)
and I am on the faculty at Vanderbilt (#16).
But for my dollar, the prettiest campus in the US is UC-Santa Cruz.
Imagine a redwood forest on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. That’s the campus.
Why is not even on the list of top 30 - must be the weighting given to architecture over natural beauty.
By Tom Weiler on Aug 11, 2008
I attend Vanderbilt University and I believe that it justly deserves its place on this list. Anyone who disagrees has not seen the campus in the fall. I have seen more than a few wedding, school, and family photo shoots taken with our lovely campus as the background. The slide show does not do Vandy justice. While many of the schools are on the list because of their architectural design, Vandy is naturally beautiful aside from its buildings.
By CW on Aug 11, 2008
I don’t think Vanderbilt Medical Center is a mass of bricks and concrete. I think it is very modern and well done as a Major Medical facility and the Children’s Hospital Lobby looks like FAO Scwharz toy store. If by “more congested” you mean that they are saving more lives because people are brought in from all over the south I guess they are more congested.Isn’t that the point? Most people are in awe as they walk through the entire facility. Our campus is beautiful all year long. No dirty snow. Flowers and evergreens but also Autumn foliage. Giant magnolias and artwork and statues everywhere. I love being here and having it be a nice place is a big part of that.
By Myke Ondek on Aug 11, 2008
To reply to Mike O’s comments on my observation that the Medical Center is ugly:
Yes, Children’s Hospital is beautiful inside. Most of the buildings in the Medical Center are nice inside. But stand on Medical Center Drive and look up. Walk through the “courtyard” area between the main hospital and Light Hall and PRB and look up. The sky is becoming more and more obscured by ugly brick buildings. “Congested” referred to auto traffic on the streets and garages, not patient volume.
By Steve on Aug 11, 2008
How does Yale make this list? Their campus is in New Haven and doesn’t look much better than the surrounding area. I wouldn’t argue any of the other schools, but including Yale is a joke.
By jeremy on Aug 11, 2008
I am a Vanderbilt student and some parts of the campus are very beautiful. Yes, the medical center may not be as pretty, but it’s a hospital people. It’s not meant to be beautiful and have trees and forests all around it, it’s meant to save lives. The rest of the campus, especially the Peabody campus, is a lovely place to walk around.
Also, the image you used for #11 New College of Florida is not of the college at all, that’s Ca d’Zan, also known as the Ringling Mansion. It’s in Sarasota, FL, and was a mansion built by John Ringling (the circus magnate) in 1924. I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with New College.
http://www.ringling.org/ca_mansion.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca_d%27Zan
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=ca%20d%20zan&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi
By Jon on Aug 12, 2008
New College should not be on this list. Beside the one building pictured, the campus looks like an absolute slum. It is a series of trashy apartments and unkept grounds.
By Anonymous on Aug 12, 2008
What about Northwestern University in Evanston? It’s absolutely breathtaking right there on the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s definitely more beautiful than Vanderbilt; although I hate to admit that since I went to Vandy
And it is true that the slide show here did not do Vandy justice.
By Liz on Aug 13, 2008
There’s no way this list shouldn’t include High Point University in North Carolina. Hands down one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen.
http://www.highpoint.edu
By Xavier on Aug 14, 2008
I do admit that this list is a lot better than the one from campus squeeze.
But seriously, why Duke and Colorado (Boulder) aren’t on this list is crazy.
Boston U? Columbia? Indiana? Loyola Marymount?Northwestern? San Fransisco? Kansas? NYU?
How about Lehigh? One of the most beautiful schools I have ever seen in my life.
I mean there are just so many schools that are better than some of those up there. Alabama has nothing compared to these schools. No offense.
But there are so many schools that it does make it sort of difficult. Still though…
By Molly on Sep 4, 2008