Stanford has some nice spots but is a good spacious functional campus and not beautiful. Cornell and Wisconsin are large beautiful campuses.
The locations of both UCSB and UCSD are outstanding. But sadly the architecture of many of the buildings at both campuses is of the 1960’s gray concrete blockish purely utilitarian variety. (The Geisel Library excluded).
I agree with many already mentioned, but I want to add Scripps to the list. The beautiful rose-filled courtyards with tiled fountains were gorgeous! Especially after touring Pitzer with it’s complete lack of shade and brown motel architecture.
CU Boulder
@lastone03 I expected to take CNU off the list because I had been warned that the area around it was not very safe. I never felt “unsafe” and the area we stayed in near the school had many familiar chain store/restaurants. I think it was old information about the area. It was such a pleasant surprise that we liked CNU so much and it was maybe the most miserable day we toured any school - snow and rain intermittently.
Here’s a good list
https://m.escapehere.com/destination/americas-12-most-beautiful-college-campuses/12/
A lot of people listing Lehigh, which we visited recently. It is beautiful, but way to much climbing!! Glad it is not me going to college! I would add Notre Dame and Boston College to the list.
@thumper1 Did you ever see Santa Clara pre-1995, when The Alameda cut through the school? That was one sad place to look at LOL (One of my alma maters, so I’m allowed to say that). Nowadays the campus is very pretty, but Stanford is still way more better looking. And despite the surrounding area, UC-Berkeley has many buildings with tremendous architecture.
I remember the Alameda cutting through SCU back in the day. There might have been a student hit by a car one year IIRC.
My alma mater has a nice compact campus but son’s future alma mater has grown on me. It’s one of the few campuses that is a National Historic Landmark (not just a few buildings, but the majority of the Danforth Campus).
I totally agree with Miami of Ohio, but I’ve never understood why people think Indiana University is beautiful.
Most beautiful campus—Tulane University. Century old oak trees pervasive around campus. Some oak trees sparkle during Mardi Gras with colorful beads thrown on the branches. Beautiful greenery. Palm trees. And Gibson Hall at front of campus has great architecture, as do many other buildings on campus.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Rice yet. And also USD.
First time i was on the SCU campus was 2006 for accepted student weekend…and it was a gorgeous April week…roses blooming. So…no…didn’t know about 1995!
But even more wow with how they made this a gorgeous college campus.
Re: Indiana University-
As an alum, I think the beauty is found in the classic limestone buildings of the older part of campus, the woods near the center and the huge, classic frat houses. I will agree, however, that the newer parts of campus and the dorms are nothing special.
Another plug for U of Washington in the spring (U-Dub, go dawgs!) or whenever the mountain ‘is out’ and it’s not pouring. Or if you are sitting in the stadium on a clear, crisp fall day. Or sitting in Suzzallo library, or drinking coffee in the Boiserie which sadly is no longer. It really is a beautiful campus.
“Yale’s campus itself is terrific, with its ancient architecture…”
Faux ancient. Yale’s iconic Gothic stone architecture is attractive but it dates only to the 1920s & 30s…
" And there’s nothing quite like Dartmouth on a snowy evening."
If Hollywood movie producers were casting for the role of “Classic Beautiful New England College,” Dartmouth would win the part hands down.
Here’s the Travel & Leisure list for most beautiful colleges in every state
@thumper1 Have you seen the new law building that just opened at SCU? Wowzah. Also new dorm going up next to Sobrato.
Lafayette! Absolutely gorgeous.
Northwestern’s campus is good but not great. But if you include the gorgeous lakefront, the stately homes in the neighborhood, & the pretty downtown Evanston, the whole package is amazing.