The United States has one of the most diverse geographies of any country in the world, and no matter what's your favorite part of nature, there's somewhere you can go. From the swamps of Louisiana or the verdant forests of the Northeast to the deserts of the Southwest and even rainforests in the Pacific Northwest, we've got it all in the good old US of A.
But for some, no part of nature holds more allure than the mountains. Whether we're talking about the gigantic, picturesque mountains of the west or the rolling, forested landscape of Appalachia, America is full to the brim with mountains of all shapes and sizes, and there are plenty of colleges situated throughout these mountains. Beach lovers, take a back seat. Today, we're talking about some of the most mountainy colleges in America.
The List
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
This storied school needs no introduction, but we'll try our best. An Ivy League school, Dartmouth College (though it's really a university) excels academically across the board, and it's been doing so since before the American revolution. This history and incredible stock of resources means that Dartmouth is both pretty selective and expensive, but that's true of all of the Ivies.
But what isn't necessarily true of all the Ivies is Dartmouth's proximity to the mountains of Appalachia. Not only is the school surrounded by the rolling hills of the Appalachian mountains, it's also a stop on the way through the famous Appalachian Trail. That's right: if it's been your dream to someday hike the Appalachian Trail, it's hard to do better than Dartmouth. Picture this: you graduate and your job after college doesn't start for a couple months, so right after you get your diploma, you pack up and hike all the way down to Georgia for one last hurrah. There's at least one person reading this who's salivating at the thought…
University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
The famous and influential naturalist James Muir once wrote in his journal that you should never go to Alaska when you're young because you'll never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live. Heavy words, and that makes it slightly unfortunate that the University of Alaska-Fairbanks is such a great school for mountain lovers. Last I checked, most college students are pretty young.
UAF is located right near downtown Fairbanks and some gorgeous mountains in the wilderness of Alaska, making it a great spot for naturalists who still need the comfort of city life here and there. As far as the school itself is concerned, it's an interesting case. It's a state school, but unlike many state schools, it has a comparatively small enrollment with a little less than 6,000 students. On top of that, it's got a very accessible 67% admission rate and a jaw-droppingly low in-state tuition of around $7,000. If you're an Alaska native, this is a great option, and for those outside of Alaska, this could still be just the ticket.
Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA
Washington & Lee University is another mountain school on the eastern seaboard, so don't expect fourteeners or sweeping Western landscapes. But what it loses in grandeur, it makes up for in the picturesque beauty of Virginia hills in the Shenandoah Valley. Outdoor activities are a favorite hobby of many of the students who attend, and the serene beauty of the landscape can be really magical. If you don't believe me, look up pictures of Lexington during the fall. It's hard to think of a town more suited to autumn leaves.
W&L is also a phenomenal liberal arts college with a storied history and excellent facilities in just about every subject. It's got a pretty selective admission rate of 25% and tuition hovering around $60,000, which isn't cheap any way you cut it. But with that money, you're buying a great education and access to one of the strongest alumni networks in the country. And besides, bonds formed in the smoky hills of Virginia are bonds formed for life.
University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO
It's hard to think of a state more synonymous with mountains than Colorado, and it's for good reason. The Rocky Mountains which run right through the state are essentially the platonic ideal for a beautiful mountain range, and they offer great skiing, great hiking, and even great concert venues. Ever heard of Red Rocks Amphitheater? Thank the Rocky Mountains. And situated right near the Rocky Mountains is University of Colorado-Boulder, giving its many, many students access to the famous mountain range.
And what can you expect when applying to UC Boulder? They have a comfortable admission rate of 84% and very affordable in-state tuition of around $12,000. As already alluded to, this is a huge school with more than 30,000 students, and it's a sure bet that a good chunk of them love the mountains as much as you do. Colorado represents the apex of American mountaineering for many people, and this is one of the best schools in the state for folks with that passion.
University of Vermont, Burlington, VE
We've talked about this school before in our breakdown of the best schools for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, so it's no surprise that the University of Vermont would also be a perfect mountain college. Owing to the fact that the campus is situated right on top of a hill, the views from just about anywhere on campus are sensational, whether you want to look at the nearby Adirondack Mountains or the cozy city of Burlington below. And those mountains are plenty accessible to students who want to hike or explore the lush, mountainside forests that the state is named after. Trivia check: Vermont comes from the French "Vert Monts," which means "green mountains." How could we not include it?
As far as state schools go, its price-point of $19,000 in-state and $43,000 out-of-state means it's a little on the expensive side even for Vermont natives, but its 71% acceptance rate means it's at the very least academically accessible to many, especially compared to many other schools in New England.
Where We Come In
College Rover is all about making the college process simpler, so we aggregate all the data you could need to help you make this decision and let you compare all your top choices. We keep track of stuff like "best mountain colleges" just for fun and because we know that sometimes what draws you to a school isn't the raw data. That said, there's still a lot you can learn from our site, so head on over to CollegeRover.com to make this whole process a lot easier for you.
