For opinions on what may be some beautiful colleges, see:
“The 25 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America,” Thrillist and “The 30 Best, Most Beautiful Small Colleges in America,” Best Degree Programs.
For your setting preferences, these Newsweek articles can serve as a guide:
“The 25 Most Desirable Suburban Schools” and “The 25 Most Desirable Urban Schools.”
Colleges with open curricula include Smith, Grinnell, Hamilton and Amherst.