15 Picturesque College Campuses Across The Country

College bound students have the unique opportunity of choosing a new home for the next four years of their lives, and potentially even longer. While many factors play into a student’s college choice, the appeal of its campus is likely one of those criteria.   

Students certainly need to consider their choice of major.  But many of the most popular majors, including business, nursing, psychology, and biology, are offered at hundreds, if not thousands, of colleges across the country. This gives students a great deal of leeway in allowing other factors to impact their decision. One of those factors is often campus beauty.

 

While beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, certain campuses have been particularly noted for their visual appeal. Fifteen colleges were singled out by U.S. News & World Report for touting such attributes as “stunning architecture, a picturesque setting or eye-popping landscaping.” The schools gracing this list, which represent twelve states throughout the country, are Baylor University, (TX), Flagler College (FL), Harvard University (MA), Indiana University: Bloomington (IN), Kenyon College (OH), Pepperdine University (CA), Salve Regina University (RI), San Diego State University (CA), Stanford University (CA), Swarthmore College (PA), University of Colorado: Boulder, University of Notre Dame (IN), University of Vermont, University of Virginia, and University of Washington.

Students may also favor college campuses that offer specific amenities.  Those wanting to live on or near a beach might consider Coastal Carolina University (SC), Eckerd College (FL), St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Texas A & M University: Corpus Christi, and University of Hawaii: Manoa. 

 

Students passionate about golf might favor Clemson University (SC), Duke University (NC), Penn State University, Ohio State University, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, or University of Michigan.

 

Students who love to ski might be attracted to Colby College (ME) with miles of ski trails on campus, Dartmouth College (NH) with its own Dartmouth Skiway, and Middlebury College (VT) with its own Snow Bowl and 17 trails.

 

It’s not as frivolous as it may sound to take campus beauty and amenities into consideration when choosing a college. Students make lifelong friends and connections during their college years. They may also engage in internships and part time jobs, leading to employment opportunities after graduation.  For these reasons and others, students often settle down near their college town making it their lifelong home. It’s wise, therefore, to look beyond the next four years when choosing a college to call home.   

 

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362