17 Most Beautiful Universities in the US [Update 2023] (2023)

Students who attend college in a serene atmosphere are more likely to benefit from their education. Even if it’s not one of the most major considerations, the location of a university may help students determine to enjoy some of the most memorable years of their life.

You may get a good idea of a school’s region by seeing its campus; eitheryou wantto further your education or just want a beautiful locationto spend a few hours on your lunch break.

Hence, I have come up with a list of some of the most beautiful universities in the US to show you the universities’ inside beauty and the surrounding region.

1. Pepperdine University, Malibu, California

With breathtaking natural views of the Pacific Ocean, it’s no wonder why Pepperdine University has been named the most beautiful university in the US for many years. There is no better place in the US to attend college than Pepperdine University for its awe-struck surroundings.

The 830-acre campusoffers a lush feel with palm trees and beautiful Greek structures. The Philip Theme Tower, a university icon, greets first-year students to the institution’s stimulating educational environment.

2. Sewanee: The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee

The University of the South’s Gothic Architectural structure and scenic grounds frequently rank it the second most beautiful universityin the US. The huge 14,000-acre campus is home tobreathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains and valleys and a stunning display of fall leaves that creates a scene almost like a work of fiction in nature.

The university’s All Saints Chapel is famed for its vaulted roofs, rose windows, and paintings of world-famous cathedrals like Notre Dame de Paris.

3. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana

Founded in 1842, The University of Notre Dame is the third topuniversity on my list, with its old Gothic revival structuresall over the place. The university’s Golden Dome atop the central structure, a figure of Mary, and the 218-foot-high Basilica of the Sacred Heart are all notable features.

Nestled above two lakes, this magnificent site has all one might desire at a university considered one of the most beautiful universitiesin the US.

You might also be interested in knowing about the biggest university campuses in the US.

4. Colgate University, Hamilton, New York

Hamilton, New York, is home to Colgate University’s peaceful rural campus, nestled in a lovely setting. The Colgate Memorial Chapel, established in 1918, is the most iconic structure. The University’s 572-acre campus is home to nearly 2,000 trees, a beautiful lake, and an abundance of courtyards, making it a stunningly pretty backdrop.

Also, this is distinguished by the Old Biology Hall and Pascal Hall and various beautiful woodlands with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

5. University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado

While the University of Colorado Boulder’s oldest buildings still feature the traditional Collegiate Gothic style, the school hired architect Charles Klauder to design an entirely new architectural style for the campus, called Tuscan Vernacular Revival (or colloquially, University of Colorado Style), which features sandstone buildings with red roofs. Tuscan Vernacular Revival began here, and the sandstone walls set the school apart as a dynamic environment to learn.

6. Swarthmore College, Philadelphia

Situated about an hour and a half outside of Philadelphia, Swarthmore College is known for its beautiful hydrangea and tree peony plants and its courtyard filled with flowering trees and bushes. In the heart of Crum Woods and flanked by a holly and rhododendron collection, the external auditorium is the place to see and hear.

The Dean Bond Rose Garden has more than 200 species of roses, as well as a stunning view of Parrish Hall in the distance. On the outskirts of a bustling city, the rolling hills, blossoming trees, and hiking paths provide a natural respite from one of the most beautiful universities in the US.

You might also want to check out the list of most beautiful college campuses in the US.

7. Stanford University, California

In addition to being one of the world’s most esteemed colleges, Stanford is also noted for being one of the most beautiful universities in the US. In terms of college campuses, Stanford’s 8,180-acre campus has possibly the most opulent entrance: the Main Quad, an oval open space covered in red dwellings, Memorial Church with its mosaic design, and a mile-long palm-lined Palm Drive.

The “architectural crown jewel” was constructed in theAmerican Renaissance period and is lavishly embellished with colorful mosaics. St Mark’s Basilica in Venice had a major influence on color and stained-glass in the design. Moreover, the buildings are shrouded by enchanting gardens, flowerbeds, and tree-lined tracks.

8. Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia

In Mount Berry, Georgia, Berry College possesses an impressive distinction: it is the world’s biggest continuous college campus,with over 27,000 acres of farms, lakes, woods, and highlands. It makes fantastic utilization of its surroundings as well, with multiple reflective ponds and fountains positioned alongside its exquisite British Gothic-inspired structures such as the Ford Dining Hall, Ford Auditorium, Mary Hall, which the school’s major donor facilitated, Henry Ford. It attracts many hikers and bikers each year.

9. University of San Diego, San Diego, California

When it comes to style, the University of San Diego adheres to a specific design: the Spanish Renaissance, with its magnificent outer walls, exquisite metalwork, and sculpted woodwork; I mean, wow! Such a wonderful style they have selected.

The presence of seaside panoramas and palm-tree-lined gardens only addto the feeling of being in a vacation spot on campus. Located on the grounds, the Immaculata Chapel, with its searingly blue dome and solid bronzeentrance, is accessible from most of the city and serves as a photogenic feature.

10. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

The University of Virginia, one of the most beautiful universities in the US, was built in 1819 and is known for having the most majestic campus in the world. The university was founded by America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, and named in his honor.

Since 1976, the institution has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its size of more than 1,832 acres and the famous dome based on Romanian architecture. When combined with the University of Virginia’s intellectual achievements, its breathtaking edifice, surrounded by rolling landscapes and rich foliage, makes for a wonderful combination.

11. University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

Aside from its glacier peaks in winter, gigantic forests, and many intriguing destinations, the University of Montana is knownfor its academic excellence. Because of its location at the base of Mt. Sentinel, which rises to an elevation of 1,958 feet, the areais awash in stunning features.

The campus also has several intriguing structures to look out for, the most notable of which is the Renaissance revival-style architecture that may be found, making it undoubtedly one of the most beautiful universities in the US.

12. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

In the vibrantBloomington, Indiana University has constructed most of its structures, including the aesthetically pleasing Maxwell Hall, using locally mined limestone. In addition to the Sample Gates, the campus offers approximately 1,200 acres of woodland and bicycle paths for students to enjoy.

The institution has been nicknamed as ‘modern forest’ because of its unique buildings and acclaimed academic experience.

13. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr,aprivate liberal arts institution for women, has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. One of the earliest colleges in the nation, it adopted the Gothic architectural style, which has subsequently been followedby several other colleges and institutions, including Princeton.

Duck ponds and lines of bushes covered with blossoms decorate the campus’s pastoral surroundings. This135-acre campus waslaid out with the assistance of Frederick Law Olmsted, who constructed Central Park.

14. Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton University’s architectural style is a nice blend. The oldest structures built in the Gothic style have becomea signature. A more modern architecture style has been adopted in constructing relatively new university buildings by 20th-century architects like Frank Gehry and Rafael Violy. The surroundings are peppered with examples of 20th-century art.

15. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Cornelluniversity’s 4,800-acre campus is a real treat for students! The Bailey Hall auditorium, built in the Greek style, and the McGraw Tower, which has 21 bells, are two of the university’s most renowned structures. There are Gothic, Victorian, Classical, and modernist-style structures and various “green” efforts that environmentalists have praised.

However, the Ivy League’s elegance can be seen in design marvels like the AD White Reading Room and the McGraw Tower, both located on the campus.

16. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

Private institution Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializes in programs in aviation and aerospace. Its primary campuses are situated in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. It was initially established in 1926 at Lunken Field in Cincinnati, Ohio.

17. The University of Pennsylvania

A private research university in Philadelphia is called the University of Pennsylvania. Numerous organizations and academics rate it among the most prominent institutions, making it the fourth-oldest higher education institution in the country.

After all the scenic analysis, you can see why being accepted at any of these universities is an accomplishment in itself!