20. Wagner College - The views of this school makes it part of the Beautiful Colleges list. Looking out the window of many dorm rooms, you’ll see the skyline of Lower Manhattan. It’s in New York, but its Staten Island campus secludes it enough from the hustle and bustle of the city. The theater and artsy types best fit in here, and many have dreams of Broadway. The diverse population and extraordinary location makes it the “best of both worlds,” according to the college.
19. CUNY Brooklyn - There are 26 acres of the Brooklyn campus in the New York City. The real world city experience now has college feel. Since it’s mostly a commuter campus, there isn’t a sense of unity here like in other colleges, but the buildings and the architecture, especially its prime location, still make it worthwhile. The culture of the city is brought together with a liberal arts instruction that is quite different from other colleges. Brooklyn has the unique aspect many students are looking for with an atmosphere of achievement.
18. Rhodes College - Memphis offers so much to students at Rhodes, they’re often over-involved. The campus itself is well-designed with classic architecture that makes it feel collegiate, but its surrounding area only adds to the appeal. Memphis caters to every type of person, whether they’re artsy, country, or anything under the sun.
17. University of Alabama - The University’s campus at Tuscaloosa has some wonderful architectural buildings and is surprisingly diverse. The Southern comfort and friendliness makes students feel right at home. Football is quite popular, so students are kept busy in-season cheering on their school. The school houses the Alabama Museum of Natural History, which is a popular tourist spot. Pretty much all the bases are covered at this state school, and students with various interests can all find their niche comfortably, Southern-style.
16. Flagler College - Flagler used to be a pricey, elegant, and historic hotel in St. Augustine in Florida. So it’s no surprise that luxury is the basis of living for students here. Most of them are wealthy, and have come to appreciate the pristine details of the buildings and the town’s abundance of beaches. But one thing they complain about? No dorm visits of the opposite sex. Well, you can’t have everything.
15. Mercer University - The Georgia easy living incorporates itself into Macon’s social activity at Mercer. Off campus hops on weekends, and Mercer even has a group whose mission is to make sure that students have something to do. Back on campus, there are some beautiful buildings that give it that down-home Southern feel. A far cry from East Coast Gothic, Mercer is a nice mixture of fun and function.
14. New College of Florida - The Gulf of Mexico is the backdrop; arts and sciences take the cake. Sarasota is home to this college for honor students who get away to gorgeous, free public beaches. But if they can’t make it to the beach, they have their dorms with private entrances and courtyard design to attend to. Students at this free-thinking school are living the life of expression and freedom every kid dreams of.
13. College of the Atlantic -The outdoors adds fuel to the fire of this environmentally friendly school. The coast of Maine is the setting for these liberal vegetarians, and is beautiful in the spring/summer as a lovely tourist area. The Arcadia National Park is only a hop, skip, and a jump away for a placid escape from this tiny hippy school.
12. University of Hawaii, Manoa - Hawaii may take the crown as to students that know how to live it up. Sandwiched between the beach and the city, parties are frequent and students have a laid back attitude on the weekends after a grueling school week. The fabulous Hawaii skies, surf, and sun makes the Hawaii scene pretty darn spicy.
11. Swarthmore College - The whirlwind of activity that buzzes by you when you enter the Pennsylvania campus might mask its beauty at first. The students around here know how to keep busy. The university grounds are serene and peaceful: the perfect atmosphere for these intellectual groupies to study. They don’t leave campus much, because, lets face it, Swarthmore isn’t the chicest city, but the location fits these students to a tee.
10. Elon University - The country club-like atmosphere exudes rich, preppy ooze. Seemingly because the surroundings are so boring that you have to have a car to get anywhere fun. So, the rich ones usually have cars. It figures. Like country clubs, the campus grounds are painstakingly sustained to perfection. Lawn care 101 should be what this school is known for.
9. Scripps College - Once again, California makes the list. Scripps has beautiful views and Princeton review christens its dorms “like palaces.” Its resort-like feel and sunny gardens, fountains, and trees (not to mention the food is great) make it a popular choice for women. Women have a tough decision to make here, it seems, because so many beautiful colleges are single-sex! Can’t say it’s surprising, though. Women are cleaner.
8. Kenyon College - Now to the lovely town of Gambier, Ohio. Nothing much to do outside here, but the architecture lures students back into their rooms for a debate. The outstanding numbers of intellectuals encourage this frequent activity, and students aren’t complaining. Their fabulous, structurally sound buildings make it all worth it.
7. Sewanee - the University of the South- Tennessee’s Episcopalian university sits on a lovely campus with caves, streams, and mountains. No wonder it attracts the outdoorsy types. The university boasts an outdoor program that sponsors every kind of adventure possible (canoeing, snowshoeing, hiking, caving, bicycling, etc). If you like being outside, it would be a sin not to go here.
6. Agnes Scott College - Women at this single-sex school enjoy their gorgeous dorms, with high ceilings and hardwood floors. But the real beauty is outside in the Atlanta/Decatur, Georgia surroundings. With lush trees, flowers, stunning quad, and free-flowing design, who’d want to leave? Oh, well Princeton Review named it a “Stone-Cold Sober School.” Now you see.
5. Mount Holyoke College - Hmm, another women’s school. There must be something about these Mount Holyoke women that take advantage of the Pioneer Valley- the most beautiful area of New England- right in their backyard. The beautiful atmosphere of this small town further entices you as you enter. Boys? What boys?
4. Sweet Briar College - Southern beauty is done right in this lovely Virginia campus. Obviously, no boys allowed, so males can’t enjoy the scenic 3,250 acres like the girls do. Maybe that’s why the campus is so clean. The outdoors calls the sporty girls to enjoy a long run around the campus. Grab a trail map and go. Observatory loop, anyone?
3. Loyola Marymount University - Obviously, another California beauty. Los Angeles is primo spot for all things glamorous. Looking out your window at the vibrant California sky and the palm trees does everything but remind you you’re at college. Tough life, huh?
2. Princeton University - When you think of Princeton, you usually think of smart kids shooting for the best education possible. And most of these kids are too busy study to appreciate the gorgeous gothic architecture that makes up the buildings of their campus. The lush greens (ivy is quite fitting) make the campus feel like an old movie set that you get to be part of just by going to school.
1. Pepperdine University - Nothing beats the California beach location of Pepperdine. The homes in the greater Malibu area go for millions. And you get to live there for measly room and board? Luxury doesn’t even begin to cover it.
tags:College AdmissionsPopularity: 100% [?]
40 responses so far ↓
1 Adam // Oct 8, 2007 at 1:47 am
How is the University of Alabama on this list? Their campus is ugly. You guys need to go about 2 hours east and see Auburn University and you’ll see why Auburn should be on this list and not Alabama.
2 Preston // Oct 22, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Alabama is much prettier than Auburn, but Samford University in Birmingham has every school on this list beat.
3 John // Oct 24, 2007 at 7:30 am
Cornell doesn’t make the top 20???
4 Mark // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:06 pm
The picture you have of Elon is ridiculous. This campus is extraordinarily beautiful, boasting national botanic gardens, several lakes, etc…yet you choose a picture of a third-floor library window to display?
5 Shannon // Nov 24, 2007 at 9:27 pm
the picture of Alabama’s campus does not do the beauty of our school justice.. there are so many beautiful trees and buildings with tons of character that date back to th 1800’s..
6 Tommy // Dec 5, 2007 at 10:38 pm
No Southern Central Louisiana State University? For shame.
7 Mark // Dec 6, 2007 at 2:02 am
This is a terrible list, go look up in the northwest a little more.
8 Olivia // Dec 6, 2007 at 2:19 am
May I suggest Berry College in Rome, GA. The largest campus in the United States? National Wildlife Management Area?
9 Lauren // Dec 6, 2007 at 4:35 am
How did Bates college in Lewiston Maine not make it on, it is incredible!
10 Eric // Dec 6, 2007 at 6:37 am
Why isn’t the University of Colorado on this list? Ridiculous.
11 Dave // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:12 pm
I’m a graduate of Flagler College, and I’ve got to argue with the assertion that most of the students are wealthy. As a matter of fact, Flagler is typically chosen because it is one of the most inexpensive private colleges in Florida. Tuition per year just rose over $13K. Most students there are making it on their own with little or no parental financing, and choose it due to its price tag.
It is a really beautiful school, though. I wish you could include photos of the interior!
12 Rachel // Dec 6, 2007 at 7:29 pm
AUBURN is way prettier than University of Alabama.
I go to UTD and it is pretty ugly, but so is University of Houston (Top 20 ugliest schools)
13 Distorted Fanatic // Dec 7, 2007 at 10:59 am
you fail to mention that football is ALL they care about at the University of Alabama. that and taking students for every penny they possibly can as well as dictating how the city of Tuscaloosa is able to conduct business. the University dominates this town in a miraculous “tide” of mediocrity. I am a native as well as a graduate. this place is so lame it’s not worth your time. there is NOTHING to do here. no bar scene worthwhile, no clubs, no bands. it is by far the most culturally sodomised area I have ever had the misfortune to wasting my time.
14 Dennis // Dec 24, 2007 at 7:35 pm
What happened to Cornell, one of the best in my opinion.
15 rgdfsg // Dec 25, 2007 at 8:23 am
STANFORD? WHERE IS STANFORD? LOL
16 Ana // Dec 28, 2007 at 2:07 am
Yeah Cornell is the best they have the most beutiful campus
17 darkman // Jan 5, 2008 at 4:40 am
oh i forgot one. university of minnesota-twin cities. thats a hot one.
18 audrey // Jan 10, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Have you all not been to Austin, TX?! St. Edwards University is one of the most beautiful schools ever! Theres some good architecture!
19 Cindy // Jan 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Whoever came up with this list has obviously never been to Boulder.
20 Nick Saban // Jan 23, 2008 at 12:44 pm
It’s sad that aubrun fans must sully any article that happens to mention the University. Little brother syndrome is alive and well. I’ll be the first to admit that aubrun has a beautiful campus - that is, if you’re a fan of late 1960’s government architecture.
See, Alabama fans can be objective. Can’t we all just get along?
21 Matt // Jan 28, 2008 at 10:04 pm
ALABAMA????? are you blind
22 Little Brother Syndrome // Feb 1, 2008 at 3:32 am
SEC colleges ranked by campus:
1. Alabama
2. Ole Miss
3. Georgia
4. Tennessee
5. Vanderbilt
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Kentucky
9. Arkansas
10. South Carolina
11. Auburn
12. Miss. State
Let’s see… That should about do it. Give it a couple hours, and presto: Congrats, Think Financial, you are now the proud owners of a full-blown debate about Southern campuses without objective consideration, and intended entirely as a proxy for stoking football rivalries.
Bonus: Auburn looks like a brick factory puked on a cow field!
23 Roll Tide // Feb 1, 2008 at 9:45 pm
That’s probably the worst photo possibly ever taken of the University of Alabama. The administration put it that water fountain, to the chagrin of many, last year in the modern-looking student activities hub of campus built in the 1970’s. On the contrary, the original, antebellum buildings carry the tone of the campus - this can hardly even be said of the one beautiful building on Auburn’s campus, Samford Hall.
I am sorry the Alabama grad who posted above had a negative experience at the University, but the assertion that UA only cares about football is completely off-base. In the last four years, Alabama has finished at the top of USA Today’s Academic All-American competition (jousting back and forth with Harvard each year to take the prize), is in the top 15 of all colleges nationally in its enrollment of Academic All-Americans, and has doubled the size of its Honors College.
Though academics was not the original center of this debate, campus attractiveness was. This is not the only publication to ever call Alabama “beautiful.” The Princeton Review ranks Alabama among the most beautiful campuses nearly every year.
24 Helen // Feb 3, 2008 at 9:58 am
The University of San Diego is gorgeous. The architecture is amazing and it sits atop a hill that overlooks the city of San Diego and the ocean. How is it not on this list???
25 Tradition // Feb 4, 2008 at 8:04 pm
There is SO much history, tradition, and beauty on Alabama’s campus. The buildings and layout are amazing. Nothing can beat Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on a warm clear gameday in the fall! Denny Chimes, President’s Mansion, sorority row, Bryant Denny Stadium, Gorgas library, Clark Hall… they’ll take your breath away!
26 Tommy Tubberville // Feb 8, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Did all the cows eat the trees on campus? There’s not one single tree on this campus. I’m off to Mama Goldbers with Tommy Louder. We’re discussing his love for my football coaching and my recruiting class. We didn’t need Julio Jones anyway. Sure wish we got Star Jackson though.
27 asdklfj // Feb 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm
stanford????
common its gorgeousss
28 Greg // Feb 16, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt thinking you’ve never had the opportunity to check out Clemson University. That campus is hot.
29 Geaux Tigers // Feb 21, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Can we say centennial oaks and azaleas galore? LSU should definitely be on this list instead of Alabama! Besides, we’re the BCS champions……AGAIN!
30 Justin // Feb 28, 2008 at 9:04 am
What bout Texas Tech yes we are in Lubbock, Texas but I personally love the Spanish architecture. Yes the Library looks like a radiator but besides that the buildings are nice and the art on campus is fantastic.
31 Kevin King // Mar 18, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I am glad to see that Pepperdine University is ranked as the most beautiful campus in the country. Pepperdine is also an elite university because it is private and it is located in Malibu. In addition, it is a christian school and the overall emphasis is in the right place.
I live in Tulsa, and I am surrounded by alumni and fans of Oklahoma State University. Their basically a bunch of middle class rednecks, and their campus is not much better. It is in the middle of nowhere and would never be in the same category as the top 20 schools mentioned on this list.
However, the University of Oklahoma is a very attractive university with a great campus. The current administration takes immense pride in the campus and it shows. The students attending this university are mostly well educated and upwardly mobile.
32 Kevin // Mar 19, 2008 at 3:55 am
Loyola Marymount looks like Stanford, but has a more attractive setting. Another California beauty in higher education.
33 Brandy Nam-Lee // Mar 19, 2008 at 12:53 pm
geee wheez! the university of Alabama is blazing hot!! that architecture can attract even Royals like me! GO ALABAMA….
34 aljhunne // Mar 26, 2008 at 8:57 am
Why Stanford University not belong to the Top 20 list in fact,you can witness onsite in its magnificient architecture and landscape gardens.
35 aljhunne // Mar 26, 2008 at 9:05 am
I do really agree with Pepperdine Univ as the most beautiful campus location in America…considerings its beauty, aah very spectacular andf breathtaking sceneries around….dormitories too are very elegant and styled according to students preference.
But where in the list such as Cornell Univ,Ithaca,NY
Carlton Coollege in Minnesota
Colby College in Waterville,Maine
Santa Clara Univ in CA
Salve Regina Univ & Roger Williams Univ in Rhode Island
Georgetown Univ in Washington DC
Univ Washington
Univ Illinois in Urbana-Champaign
Middlebury College in Vermont
36 Anne // Apr 1, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I agree with Helen. The University of San Diego has beautiful Spanish Renaissance architecture, overlooks a beautiful view of Mission Bay, and is, in my opinion one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. I have been to Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount, Sewanee, and several others on the list; however, I believe that USD trumps them all.
37 Mel // Apr 17, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I wonder why Boston College didn’t make the cut.
38 Casey // Apr 23, 2008 at 6:13 pm
One school that no one has mentioned (because honestly, few know it exists) is Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It’s a small school, but the environment in which it resides is about as beautiful as could possibly be conceived. Just check out the banner on their home page, and you’ll see what I mean:
http://www.warren-wilson.edu/
39 BamaFanInNYC // Apr 28, 2008 at 7:12 am
Distorted Fanatic,
It’s ashame you have more time on your hands than you know what to do with.
Obviously YOU’RE NOT a student or alumni of the wondrous University of Alabama. In fact, I’m willing to bet you’re an Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Aubarn University) fan in disguise, using this as a “front” to belittle the fatherly university of the state, just to boost your own school’s weakling status.
First and foremost, the T-Town nightlife is overly intense. The strip is always filled with ridiculous craziness each and every weekend, and last I recall recent performers to tour and perform at the University include Daughtry, Kenny Chesney, The Yin Yang Twins, Incubus, and several others. Not to mention downtown is explosive as well. When’s the last time anyone above the “Trotline and Northern Railroad” status ever visited one of your grand total of 5 bars in that backwoods hell-hole known as Aubarn, Alabama? I can’t recall.
Needless to say, Aubarn is basically an uncivilized redneck and farming community in which they claim it to be a typical college town. RIGHT!!!!
How many college towns mainly consist of cow pastures, chicken houses, catfish ponds, trailer parks, mud riding pits, and street legal monster trucks with ridiculous John Deere and Browning logos posted on every square inch of the trucks? And it’s sad knowing the only proper method of “fun” you guys have are rodeos which are hosted by your beloved school (where more Opelikains show up for those events THAN THEY DO FOOTBALL GAMES). It’s an embarrassment to not only the state of Alabama, but the entire south in general by only adding proof to the already dull stereotype that outsiders have directed toward the south and Alabama.
UA’s campus is gorgeous and rightfully deserves a spot in the top 20, regardless as to whether it’s an Alabama campus or not. The facilities are top notch and the campus is very tidy and well kept.
API’s on the other hand, well some of you guys say you belong in the top 10 and I agree with you somewhat; you guys DO belong in the top 10 of the top 10 ugliest campuses in America. Better yet, ON THE PLANET!
40 Kevin // May 3, 2008 at 5:19 am
Dear “Bama Fan In NYC”,
I will agree with you that the Uof A is a much better place to go than Auburn. I like the south , but tend to have a problem with some of the redneck mentality. I have noticed that a lot of northerners are attending southern schools. My question is this: What is your opinion of Pepperdine? I firmly believe that it should be at the top of the list. It is an incredibly beautiful area, and the people are great. You certainly cannot beat the scenery and climate!!!
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