Key takeaways
- Davidson College in North Carolina is the No. 1 most beautiful college campus.
- The South has the most beautiful college campuses of any region.
- Maine has the highest number of most beautiful college campuses of any state.
- Students at the top 100 most beautiful colleges have an average SAT score of 1296.
- The University of North Dakota is the most affordable beautiful campus, with an average annual tuition of $11,546.
Head-turning campuses
What makes a college attractive to potential students? Besides its reputation, most students likely factor in cost, available majors, professor rankings, and location. Many might also care about how the campus looks-after all, they plan to live there for several years.
To discover the most attractive college campuses in the U.S., we reviewed Yelp and TripAdvisor pages for the top 10 colleges in each state. We analyzed the number of reviews using the word "beautiful" and compared it to the total number of campus reviews. Explore our rankings to find out which schools are beauty blog ready, how much they cost, and the average SAT scores of their students.
Campus allure
Many universities take great pride in their campus buildings and grounds; the Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews we studied certainly reflect this. So let's get to it and reveal the most beautiful college campuses in America.
North Carolina's Davidson College claimed the coveted top spot as the most beautiful college campus in the U.S., with 75% of its online reviews mentioning the word "beautiful." Davidson boasts a blend of striking architectural designs and stunning natural surroundings.
Known for its enchanting walkways and lush green spaces, Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, ranked second with 72%. The University of Puget Sound rounded out the top three at 70%. Located in the Pacific Northwest, students can enjoy views of Mount Rainier while walking the paths of this picturesque campus.
While beautiful campuses were scattered throughout the nation, the South had the highest number of most beautiful college campuses. However, some northern outliers appeared when we looked at the data by state.
Known for its rugged coastal beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes, Maine emerged No. 1 as the state with the most beautiful college campuses. Tennessee and Alabama claimed second and third place, respectively, with their Southern charm and lush grounds.
Joining Tennessee and Alabama, other top southern states included Kentucky (#5), North Carolina (#6), Louisiana (#7), and Mississippi (#9). Meanwhile, up at the far northern border of the country, Montana (#4), North Dakota (#8), and Washington (#10) boasted a large number of especially beautiful college campuses.
Beauty is pain…for your wallet
A beautiful campus is a selling point for many colleges and universities nationwide, but does that beauty come with financial strings attached? Let's explore the average annual tuition of colleges with the most beautiful campuses.
The University of North Dakota emerged as the most affordable institution among the top 100 most beautiful campuses, with an average annual tuition of just $11,546. Ranked 70th for beauty, the English Coulee winds its way through the campus, creating an enticing option for students seeking both quality education and stunning surroundings. The most affordable school within the top 10 most beautiful colleges was No. 7 University of Mississippi; tuition at Ole Miss costs an average of $17,830 annually.
On the pricier side of things, No. 50 Connecticut College was the most expensive of the top 100 beautiful campuses, with an average cost of $82,697 yearly. Most beautiful campus winner Davidson College also comes with a hefty price tag-average annual tuition costs $60,050.
Scholastic aptitude tests
Once you select your favorite beautiful campus (and maybe secure some financial aid), you'll need to determine their admission requirements, which might include taking tests like the SATs. Let's see how students at the most beautiful colleges in the country scored.
Overall, students at the top 100 most beautiful colleges had an average SAT score of 1296. Students at Davidson College, the No. 1 most beautiful campus, had an average SAT score of 1402, while students at No. 2 Rhodes College had a slightly lower average score of 1345.
The highest SAT score belonged to Rice University students, who had an exceptional average of 1533. On the other hand, Fort Lewis College (ranked 63rd for beauty) students had an average SAT score of 1037, the lowest of the top 100 most beautiful campuses. While the SAT scores at Fort Lewis may be lower, the beauty of its campus still scores very high.
Beautiful schools, quality education
There's a lot to consider when choosing a college, and how a college campus looks might factor into your decision. Luckily, if living and studying in a beautiful location is at the top of your wish list, our rankings offer plenty of affordable options. Taking campus tours, whether in-person or online, is the best way to find a campus that most appeals to you. As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder-even when it comes to college campuses.
Methodology
To determine which college campuses were the most beautiful, we looked at Yelp and TripAdvisor pages for the top 10 colleges in each state. The percentage of beautiful score was calculated by comparing the number of reviews with the term "beautiful" to the number of total reviews for that campus. SAT score data comes primarily from College Rover's internal database, and tuition data was gathered from each college's website.
About College Rover
College Rover guides students through their college journey with comprehensive and reliable information. With a focus on assisting students in making informed decisions, we provide valuable insights into college admissions, campus life, scholarships, and more.
Fair use statement
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