Most Beautiful College Campuses in the Northeast
Want to channel your inner Rory Gilmore? These spots are what New England academia dreams are made of.
The Northeast is often associated with beautiful “halls of knowledge” — likely because it is where some of the oldest colleges in the country are, as well as the location of the Ivy League schools. This region has earned its reputation for attractive campuses, and iconic schools abound there — think Hogwarts-style buildings, red brick and stone architecture, towers and dormer windows and ivy growing up the facades. The Northeast has the added advantage of having its campuses accented by fall colors this time of year and a coating of snow in the winter. Here are some of the standout campuses that are among the prettiest out there.
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Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Sitting on the banks of the Connecticut River in Hanover, New Hampshire, is Dartmouth College — 269 acres of collegiate beauty. Dartmouth has such a pretty campus that it’s almost a given. People associated with the college have come to expect that their campus will rank among the finest; it makes every list. Why is that? For starters, Dartmouth offers a close connection to nature. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the center of campus, giving the college a backdrop of mountains. There’s also Mascoma Lake. The grassy field that forms the heart of the campus is known as the Green, offering trees, benches and several walking paths that dissect it. The Green is the scene of many student activities and events, from Winter Carnival to open-air concerts to a giant bonfire to graduation ceremonies. There are plenty of beautiful old buildings, and the campus feels as historic as it really is.
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA
Built in 1847, the College of the Holy Cross has a beautiful campus atop an emerald green hill in Worcester, Massachusetts, offering amazing views of the city below. The school is located in the heart of New England, which is already known for its picturesque landscapes and charming architecture. Follow the red brick pathways to more red brick — this time incorporated into the buildings. The gorgeous vine-covered Fenwick Hall is just one of many attractive buildings on campus. It’s known for its photo-worthy porch, where students often pose for selfies.
With its grassy lawns and lush foliage, Kimball Quad is the center of campus and the action. Colorful flowers line the walkways in the spring and summer, while bright colors overtake the trees in autumn. And there’s nothing prettier than New England in the fall — unless it’s New England in the winter, when it takes on the appearance of a Norman Rockwell painting or a snowglobe scene. St. Joseph’s Chapel has stained-glass windows to rival those of a cathedral.
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Bard College is located 130 feet above the Hudson River in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, with the scenic backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. The campus is all about nature, offering ample wide-open green space and plenty of trees. The residence halls surrounding the massive grassy quad are a mix of interesting architectural styles. The Reem Kayden Center is a sleek, modern, flashy building that not only has the latest labs and facilities, but also allows students to watch the sunset over the Hudson River from their classrooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows. For the typical northeastern college look, Bard has Stone Row — old ivy-laced stone residence halls that date back to the early days of the campus, which was built in 1903. Griffiths Walk leads you through some of the rest of the old part of campus, with its tree-lined paths and brick dining hall, Warden’s Hall and library. The Center for Civic Engagement looks like an elegant old castle, and Ward Manor, a 1916 mansion, has a similar look and appeal. There’s even a hauntingly beautiful old cemetery on campus, perfect for this time of year and the Halloween season. But if that’s not impressive enough, the 380-acre Montgomery Place is a country estate just off the central part of Bard College’s campus. It’s a historic landmark with lawns, gardens, a large mansion and views of the Hudson.
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
One look at Lehigh University’s stunning campus, and there’s no doubt why it’s listed among the most beautiful in the Northeast. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Lehigh’s 1,600 acres on three connected campuses look a lot like a piece of old English countryside, complete with the palaces and churches and stone buildings you’d expect to see there. Lehigh’s historic, chateau-esque University Center is home to a lot of student activity and services, and it also has some of the most impressive architecture this side of the Atlantic. The Linderman Library is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful college libraries out there. It has a gorgeous stained-glass rotunda in its center, and aesthetically speaking, it gives even the New York Public Library a run for its money. The residence halls bordering the nature-filled quad offer the best of both worlds: attractive, old historic buildings with all the modern conveniences. If a campus chock full of Gothic spires and Medieval turrets and sandstone and brick is your happy place, Lehigh is your college.
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI
Moving up the East Coast from Pennsylvania, we have Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. If you’ve ever been to the quaint port town of Newport, you know that that alone is enough to put any college located there on the list of the most attractive. But Salve Regina also prides itself on offering a “tour of the great architectural works of the Gilded Age,” including an array of historic buildings dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Imagine living in a beautiful dorm that was built in the 1800s or attending class in the midst of 200 years of history. The campus sits on seven adjoining estates and covers 80 acres, and its oceanside location gives it another element of beauty that is rare among universities. It also provides plant and animal life that students are able to use in their studies.
From the minute you see the words “Salve Regina University” adorning the lovely wrought-iron fence that welcomes you to campus, just down the lane from the Ochre Court administrative building (formerly a private residence), you’ll know you’re on one of the best-looking campuses in the region.
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT
Located in the scenic Burlington area, the University of Vermont has the perfect mix of nature, mountains, water, urban life and history. One of the campus’ biggest draws is undoubtedly its close proximity to the gorgeous Lake Champlain, the sixth-largest freshwater lake in the U.S. This lake is considered one of the UVM classrooms, where students can learn about such things as aquatic species and water quality. There’s even a laboratory and research vessel lakeside. Students also have access to the lake’s beaches, a boathouse, marina, sailing center, parks, restaurants, museum, an 8-mile bike path and ample scenery and unmatched views.
The university offers abundant green spaces for nature lovers, with plenty of natural resources right in the middle of campus. Lounge on a rock, Vermont-style, or enjoy the shade of one of the grounds’ many trees. UVM has an excellent program for studying sustainability and the environment, and students get plenty of hands-on opportunities on campus and throughout Vermont. The mountains provide a beautiful setting, which is even prettier in the fall and winter. And if city life is more your speed, nearby Burlington is a cute town that has plenty of its own charm to offer.
