Most Beautiful College Campuses in the Midwest
Geographically speaking, the Midwest is the center of the country — and it also happens to be a hub for some of the loveliest college campuses around.
Geographically speaking, the Midwest is the center of the country — and it also happens to be a hub for some of the loveliest college campuses around. These colleges and universities have a lot to offer in the way of student life, excellent educational programs, labs and research programs and so much more, but they do it in a beautiful setting that makes learning that much more fun. Here are some of the prettiest campuses in the Midwest.
In This Article
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, IN
The sheer diversity of interesting and beautiful places on the University of Notre Dame campus ranks it as one of the most attractive colleges. The focal point of the campus, located in South Bend, Indiana, is the iconic Golden Dome of the Main Building, on top of which a two-ton, 19-foot statue of the Virgin Mary stands. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a magnificent Gothic-style church filled with artwork and stained-glass windows — the most extensive collection of French stained glass anywhere.
The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is a mini replica of the original grotto located in France. By day, the flowerbeds surrounding it stand out and add allure, while by night, it’s the soft glow of the candlelight coming from the candles of faithful Catholics paying homage. The quaint Log Chapel is a replica of the original, built in 1831 and destroyed by fire. Notre Dame also has all the typical assets that make for a pretty college campus: grassy quads, intersecting walkways, trees and bushes that change with the seasons, water (two lakes), archways and old stone and brick buildings.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Right in the heart of downtown Iowa City, mixed into the urban fabric of the city, is the University of Iowa. Being a UI Hawkeye means being surrounded by a blend of flashy modern buildings and traditional historic architecture. The Neoclassical Capitol Building, with its golden dome, flagstone porch and stone banisters, overlooks the west side of campus. The cobblestones of the Pentacrest flank downtown on one side, and on the other, pathways fan out in three directions, leading toward three of the most eye-catching buildings on campus. On the more modern side, the Rec Center has 20,000 square feet of fitness opportunities, including a three-story climbing wall. The contemporary Art Building West and Visual Arts Building have won architectural awards for their design.
The Iowa River divides the campus in half, separating the East Campus from the West and offering the possibility of waterfront strolls and classrooms with a river view. The Iowa Memorial Union Footbridge traversing the river is perhaps the most scenic way to get from one side of campus to the other. And the Pentacrest Lawn offers green space, relaxation and fresh air. This campus is known for being an artistic hub for aspiring writers and has one of the most heartwarming traditions in college sports — the Hawkeye Wave.
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
On the banks of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, is the pristine Northwestern University. From the minute you walk beneath the Weber Arch that welcomes you onto campus and head down the paved pathway lined by trees and bushes, you’ll know you’re on one of the most beautiful campuses in the Midwest. Straight ahead, you can see the Charles Deering Library, one of the oldest libraries on campus and definitely the most stunning. It was meant to replicate the chapel at England’s own King’s College in Cambridge, so it’s not surprising that it’s got a lot of old-world charm. In case you can’t picture it, imagine Harry Potter’s Great Hall, which was also designed with the chapel in mind.
The Northwestern Technological Institute is another attractive building if you appreciate contemporary architecture. It also has the claim to fame of being the second-largest low-rise building in the U.S., after the Pentagon. Students sometimes need the help of a “Tech Room Finder” app to navigate the building’s seven miles of hallways!
In addition to the appeal of the buildings, the Northwestern campus also offers cobblestoned walkways, a pond cleverly named “Fake Michigan” (as opposed to the real Lake Michigan, which is also nearby), a sailing center and on a clear day, views of the Chicago skyline down the lake’s shoreline.
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND
Before long, the leaves will begin changing color in North Dakota, and the University of North Dakota campus in Grand Forks will take on the colors of fall and look even more beautiful than it does the rest of the year, which seems impossible. Then, in the winter, the campus takes on the look and feel of a Hallmark movie when it gets blanketed with snow, and students read or study by one of the fireplaces on campus.
The main university boulevard is the campus thoroughfare, and buildings, both old and new, run along both sides. Or take the high road and get from building to building from above by walking across the cool and panoramic overhead skyways. The “boulevard” also connects to the quad, considered the center of the UND. A great way to take advantage of all those trees, nature and the bright green grass is from a hammock — join the Hammock Appreciation Club, the largest student organization on campus. For even more outdoor decor, the scenic English Coulee waterway snakes its way through campus en route to the Red River, situated right nearby.
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH
No one will dispute why Kenyon College makes the list of most beautiful campuses. Located in Gambier, Ohio, this small liberal arts school has all the collegiate charm and beauty typical of many small liberal arts colleges and then some. Located just an hour outside of Columbus, this charming city is full of historical appeal, with the Kenyon campus serving as its crown jewel. There is more green grass, lush trees, Gothic spires and stone walls in Kenyon’s approximately 1,000 acres than an entire English village.
Take a stroll down the Middle Path, for instance, and see it yourself. The Middle Path is a gravel walkway through campus and Kenyon’s main “artery” to get anywhere. You’ll walk beneath a canopy of old trees, past benches and greenery, statues and art. Past the ornately landscaped grounds surrounding you is the “castle on the hill,” as Kenyon describes it: Ascension Hall, one of Kenyon’s classroom buildings built in 1859 in the Victorian Gothic style.
Another historic and gorgeous building is Old Kenyon, which is just as it says: old. In fact, it dates back to between 1827 and 1829, is the oldest building on campus and today serves as a residence hall. Old Kenyon has four-foot stone walls in places and spires reaching toward the sky. The campus extends its appeal in its surroundings amidst rolling hills, farmland and the nearby Kokosing River.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
The location of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is enough to put this college on the list — it’s situated on an isthmus and surrounded by bright blue lakes. The campus is also right in the heart of downtown Madison, and the lively State Street — which leads to the State Capitol and has lots of restaurants and shops for students to frequent — prolongs the campus into the city. The Capitol somewhat mirrors UW-Madison’s old and stately Bascom Hall building with its white-columned front and attractive arches. The hall stands atop iconic Bascom Hill with its quads and lawns — one of the campus’s oldest, greenest and best-looking areas. The building is also guarded by the giant statue of Abraham Lincoln out front. His sculpted presence adds a touch of refinement to the hill, and it’s said that rubbing his toe brings good luck.
Buildings on campus range in size and style, from stone and staid to newfangled and glass-atriumed, and from small (less than 1,700 square feet) to massive (1,897,439 square feet, which is almost as big as Grand Central Station!). The university’s location in Madison, often ranked as one of the best places to live in America, makes it a prime spot for students to stay post-grad.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
The vine-covered Student Union at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor sets the tone for this gorgeous campus. It may have ivy growing up its facades, but inside, it’s a polished, uber-modern, all-the-bells-and-whistles building that recently underwent a significant renovation. Like the rest of campus, the Student Union is a union of old and new coming together seamlessly — charm and history but with cutting-edge technology, top-notch facilities and all the amenities. Outside the Union is “The Cube,” a spinning art installation that’s supposed to bring students good luck.
Enjoy art? The U of M Museum of Art has 20,000+ pieces of artwork. Greenery, archways and the hustle and bustle of student activity surround the many walkways crisscrossing campus. U of M has a tremendous off-campus residency program, so the beauty of the campus extends into the charming town of Ann Arbor. The “Diag” is the center of campus and one of the prettiest parts, surrounded by green lawns, eclectic architecture and the beloved block M on the sidewalk. Go blue!
