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Travel magazine Conde Nast released its 2025 list of the 54 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the United States. Across the Northeast, several schools stand out for their historic architecture, stunning landscapes, and picturesque settings.
Whether framed by rolling hills, autumn foliage, or Gothic spires, these colleges offer students an inspiring backdrop for their studies.
Connecticut
Wesleyan University was recognized for utilizing Greek Revival architecture in its 340 buildings. The Middletown college's four buildings surrounding the main quad were designed by the same architecture firm that created two iconic New York City locations: the Brooklyn Museum and Penn Station.
Yale University's campus is a showcase of architectural brilliance in downtown New Haven, according to Conde Nast. Designed by renowned architects like Eero Saarinen and Paul Rudolph, the Ivy League university blends Collegiate Gothic buildings with modern landmarks like the glass-walled Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
College Row at Wesleyan University.
Massachusetts
Amherst College was noted for the beautiful views known throughout the Berkshires, especially in the fall. The school called a "Little Ivy" has 500 acres on campus designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
Harvard University was highlighted for offering a classic New England college experience at Harvard Yard. With its red-brick buildings, tree-lined pathways, and Charles River views, the Cambridge campus is steeped in history and academic tradition.
Wellesley College's campus is known for its picturesque lake, gardens, and tree-lined paths. Conde Nast noted that the private school for women just outside Boston showcases stunning fall views when the foliage turns vibrant shades of red and gold.
The main quad at Amherst College.
New York
Bard College's campus is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, from the Greek Revival Hoffman Memorial Library to the striking, titanium-clad Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry. Its location along the Hudson River in Annandale-on-Hudson only adds to its scenic charm, Conde Nast said.
Colgate University, nestled in the village of Hamilton, is framed by rolling hills and tree-lined walkways. The 575-acre campus's oldest building, West Hall, was constructed from stone quarried on-site.
Cornell University showcases breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake and multiple waterfalls on campus. The Ivy League school blends natural beauty with historic architecture, alongside the scenic gorges famous in Ithaca.
The Culinary Institute of America overlooks the Hudson River in Hyde Park, combining classic brick buildings with state-of-the-art culinary labs. Named for hospitality giants like Hilton and Marriott, its facilities offer students an unmatched learning environment, Conde Nast said.
Syracuse University's campus is a blend of historic and modern design. Crouse College, a Romanesque revival-style castle, overlooks the quad, while the ivy-covered Bowne Hall and Carnegie Library add to the university's classic collegiate feel.
The United States Military Academy, which also sits along the Hudson, has military precision in its campus design. Historic stone buildings and panoramic views make West Point one of the most visually striking academies in the nation.
Syracuse University's campus.
Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr College features Collegiate Gothic architecture in several buildings on the campus just outside Philadelphia. Conde Nast noted how Bryn Mawr's campus design resembled two famous English universities: Oxford and Cambridge.
Lehigh University, perched on South Mountain, has stunning stone buildings on the Bethlehem campus. Lehigh's art galleries are home to works by artists like Pablo Picasso and Gustave Courbet.
Swarthmore College's ivy-draped stone buildings and outdoor amphitheater provide a peaceful, natural setting for students. The Scott Arboretum turns the campus in the Philly suburbs into a living botanical garden.
The entrance to Bryn Mawr College.
Virginia
The College of William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the nation's second-oldest college and home to the oldest collegiate building still in use: the Sir Christopher Wren Building. The Williamsburg campus is steeped in history, with red-brick pathways, lush courtyards, and historic structures that transport visitors back to the colonial era.
Virginia Tech is known for its signature "Hokie Stone" buildings, sourced from local limestone quarries. The mix of Gothic-inspired halls and green open spaces gives the Blacksburg campus a timeless feel, Conde Nast noted.
Washington and Lee University’s campus in Lexington features the Colonnade — a row of red-brick, white-columned buildings that's a National Historic Landmark. The Lee Chapel, built in the mid-19th century, adds to the school's storied past, while views of the Shenandoah Valley provide a gorgeous backdrop for students.
Georgetown and Howard universities in Washington, DC, also made Conde Nast's list.
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