Beautiful Campuses

    The news related to colleges and universities is mostly of the bad kind these days. It is spring, however,  in some parts of the world (but not yet in Ontario), where blossoms are in bloom and commencement speeches are sprouting on campuses which are often attractive oases. So, let's focus on them.
   Take a break from the bad news and enjoy visiting these institutions of higher education which are described as some of the "most stunning college campuses in the world." Two are located in Canada.

39 Beautiful Campuses

1.Flagler College, Florida
2. Trinity College, Dublin
3. The University of the South, Tennessee
4. Queen’s University, Ireland
5. Princeton University, New Jersey
6. Cornell University, New York
7. Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
8. University of Colorado at Boulder
9. Royal Roads University, British Columbia
10. University of San Diego, California
11. University of London, England
12. Furman University, South Carolina
13. University of Cambridge, England
14. Kenyon College, Ohio
15. Harvard University, Massachusetts
16. University of Edinburgh, Scotland
17. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
18. Notre Dame University, Indiana
19. University of Oxford, England
20. Pepperdine University, California
21. University of Bologna, Italy
22. University of British Columbia, Vancouver
23. University of Capetown, South Africa
24. University of Chicago, Illinois
25. University of Glasgow, Scotland
26. University of Hawaii at Manoa
27. University of Otago, New Zealand
28. University of Virginia, Virginia
29. Stanford University, California
30. University of Sydney, Australia
31. Yale University, Connecticut
32. The College of William & Mary, Virginia
33. University of Queensland, Australia
34. Villanova University, Pennsylvania
35. University of Cincinnati, Ohio
36. University of Coimbra, Portugal
37. College of Charleston, South Carolina
38. Tsinghua University, China
39. University of Washington, Washington

Sources:
   This list is from: "The 39 Most Stunning College Campuses in the World: If We Had to do Undergrad Over Again, We'd Enroll Here," Korin Miller, House Beautiful, April 1, 2026. Both pictures are from the article and there are more. The top one is of Royal Roads and the bottom is of the library at Trinity College, Dublin.
   I was led to that article by this one: "Two Canadian Universities Ranked Most Beautiful College Campuses in the World," Daniel Chai, Daily Hive. Apr 11 2026.
   "Studying at university is hard work, which is why it’s important to schedule in breaks from the books while you’re on campus. For those attending two Canadian universities on a new list of the most stunning college campuses in the world, you’ll find plenty of beautiful spaces to recharge....
   "The ranking, recently published by interior decorating magazine House Beautiful, named Royal Roads University in Victoria and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the top 25.
   According to House Beautiful, the campuses on the list are remarkable in every sense.
   “They offer far more than academic spaces—they foster creativity, inspiration, and a rich cultural atmosphere that enhances student life,” said author Korin Miller.
   “We’ve searched far and wide, even reaching destinations like Australia, to showcase some of the most visually striking universities worldwide.”
   Royal Roads University cracked the top 10 in ninth spot, with the Hatley Park National Historic Site described as “pretty incredible.”
“The rest of campus does not disappoint, with 642 acres of vibrant greenery and spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the exotic Japanese Garden.”  
   UBC landed in 22nd place on the list of the most stunning college campuses in the world, with its access to both mountains and beaches being a top reason."

   If you are impressed that Royal Roads occupies 642 acres, you will be more impressed by the 27,000 acres in Georgia that contain Berry College. If you go to the bottom of that post you will learn that Sewanee (No.3, The University of the South) sits in "The Domain" which consists of 13,000 acres. Since you are unlikely to do that, I will provide the two additional references you would have found there: "America's Most Beautiful College Campuses," Travel + Leisure, June 24, 2021.  See also: "South's Most Beautiful Colleges 2020," by Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, Sept. 11, 2020.

   If you think retiring and relocating to be near such places would be a good thing see, "University Retirement Communities." 
   Western University is still a beautiful place, but not quite as beautiful as UWO was. I just hope the Pawpaw Trees planted there, survive our very cold spring. 

The Bonus: UBC (No.22) is also known as, The University of Beautiful Cars.