1. Furman University – Greenville, South Carolina
(flickr/Matt Bateman)
Furman University’s campus was named one of the most beautiful places in America by the American Society of Landscape Architects and it’s easy to see why. With Paris Mountain rising in the distance, the 750-acre campus, amidst the lush South Carolina landscape, holds a 40-acre lake with a stunning Florentine bell tower, beautiful gardens–including an Asian garden complete with a Buddhist temple moved to the site from Japan, and beautiful buildings designed in the Georgian-style of architecture.
2. University of Colorado at Boulder – Boulder, Colorado
(image: www.colorado.edu)
The University of Colorado campus features a nice blend of beautiful architecture and majestic natural surroundings. The handsome sandstone-wall building, with red roof tiles imported from Italy, are framed by the majestic Rocky Mountains in the distance and the expansive natural beauty of Boulder, Colorado.
3. University of Hawai’i Mānoa – Honolulu, Hawai’i
(source: http://universityofhawaii.myuvn.com/)
It’s no surprise that the paradise that is Hawaii would have a university campus that is among the most beautiful in the United States. Situated in Honolulu’s lush Mānoa valley, UH Mānoa is home to nearly 600 kinds of plants and trees. Walking around campus, you’ll come across papaya, mango, tamarind, guava, avocado, and coffee trees among the hundreds of other types of trees. Other interesting features include the East-West Center Japanese Garden, designed by world renowned landscape architect Kenzo Ogata, and The Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which contains more than 5,000 tropical plant species.
4. Pepperdine University – Malibu, California
Pepperdine’s location is really what makes it consistently recognized as one of the most beautiful schools in the nation. This quintessential Southern California campus is perched in the sun-kissed Malibu Hills with dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean. The buildings were done in a modern interpretation of the Mediterranean Revival style and were designed to compliment the ocean-side setting.
5. University of California Los Angeles – Los Angeles, California
Located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, UCLA is the most popular university in the U.S. (by number of applicants). Its memorable buildings created in the Romanesque Revival style harmonizes well with the stone-accented walkways and the large, sloping lawns. With Hollywood nearby, this photogenic campus has been the backdrop for countless scenes in films and television shows.
