America’s Most Scenic Institutions of Higher Learning

Filed Under: Back to School, Photo Galleries

University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CaliforniaThe University of California, Santa Cruz lies on 2,000 acres of rolling hills directly above the Monterrey Bay. Students take full advantage of the beautiful campus, hiking and jogging the miles of trails and exploring the redwoods.Credit: University of California, Santa Cruz

Rice University, Houston, TexasRice University sits on a heavily wooded piece of land near Houston's museum district. Legend has it that there's a tree for every student. Campus architecture, Byzantine in style, features large archways and columns.Credit: Rice University

University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CaliforniaThe University of California, San Diego is situated on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland next by the Pacific Ocean. Public art projects dot the campus, including a colorful winged statue known as the Sun God.Credit: University of California, San Diego

Occidental College, Los Angeles, CaliforniaOccidental College is a small liberal arts school located in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock. Much of the campus is done in a Mediterranean style, with tile roofs and covered walkways.Credit: Occidental College

Indiana University, Bloomington, IndianaIndiana University is located in Bloomington, Indiana, which is about 45 minutes from Indianapolis. Much of the campus was built during the Great Depression from Indiana limestone found locally.Credit: Indiana University

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TennesseeVanderbilt University is a renowned research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. The oldest section of campus features plenty of trees and green space, which provides a nice respite from the surrounding city.Credit: Vanderbilt University

Flagler College, St. Augustine, FloridaFlagler College is located in St. Augustine, on the northeastern coast of Florida. The nearest beach is only five miles from campus, making it an ideal school for those who love to soak up the sun.Credit: Flagler College

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, ColoradoThe United States Air Force Academy is located in the snow-covered mountains of Colorado Springs. Young cadets build leadership skills as well as character traits essential for military service. (Photo by: AFP/Getty Images)Credit: United States Air Force Academy

Scripps College, Claremont, CaliforniaScripps College is a small women's liberal arts school located in Claremont, California. The college focuses most activities on helping the environment. So it's no surprise that the campus is appreciated by so many.Credit: Scripps College

Duke University, Durham, North CarolinaDuke University is situated on about 9,000 acres of land in Durham, North Carolina. Students sometimes refer to the campus as "the Gothic Wonderland" due to the predominant architecture of its West Campus. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)Credit: Duke University

Wellesley College, Wellesley, MassachusettsWellesley College is known for its beautiful campus, which includes botanic gardens set against the scenic Massachusetts countryside. Its all-female student body receives a first-rate education from this highly ranked institution.Credit: Wellesley College

Stanford University, Palo Alto, CaliforniaNot only is Stanford University considered one of the most prestigious schools in the country, but it has one of the most inviting campuses, as well. Students are drawn to the school for its palm trees, nice weather and, most importantly, its rigorous curriculum.Credit: Stanford University

Trinity College, Hartford, ConnecticutTrinity College is located in Hartford, Connecticut's capital and largest metro area. But the seemingly endless trees let students experience a more traditional New England way of living.Credit: Trinity College

Kenyon College, Gambier, OhioDon't let the castle-like buildings of Kenyon College deceive you. This small liberal arts school, located in central Ohio, enrolls only 1,600 students. The campus matches Collegiate Gothic architecture with a rustic setting.Credit: Kenyon College

Yale University, New Haven, ConnecticutWith buildings dating as far back as 1701, Yale University is one of the world's great historic universities. The campus is located in New Haven, Connecticut, giving it a colonial, New England vibe with a hint of gothic and contemporary. (Photo by Christopher Capozziello/Getty Images)Credit: Yale University

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VirginiaThomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, founded the University of Virginia and considered it one of his biggest accomplishments. The school was established in 1819, but didn't grant its first degree until 1824. Before that time, they were considered "artificial embellishments."Credit: University of Virginia

Princeton University, Princeton, New JerseyPrinceton University is one of only nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution. The campus features Collegiate Gothic-style buildings on a well-groomed campus.Credit: Princeton University

Harvard University, Cambridge, MassachusettsIn addition to being the nation's oldest school, Harvard University is also one of its most beautiful. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, much of the school's campus surrounds Harvard Yard and extends along the banks of the Charles River. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Newsmakers)Credit: Harvard University

University of Chicago, Chicago, IllinoisThe University of Chicago, located in the Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods of Chicago, is considered one of the most beautiful metropolitan campuses. The first buildings were patterned after buildings at the University of Oxford.Credit: University of Chicago

Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PennsylvaniaBryn Mawr College is home to about 1,300 undergraduate women. The school was established in 1885 with hopes that women would be "ntellectual peers of men." The campus is an arboretum, with many of the older buildings inspired by Cambridge University.Credit: Bryn Mawr College