Introduction
Georgia is home to over 115 colleges and universities. The state has a variety of different terrain, including a large quantity of different mountains. At LendEDU, we evaluated all of the colleges in the state based on the following criteria:
- Architecture and Grounds
- Location
- Surrounding Environment
After reviewing each campus, we came up with the 30 Most Beautiful College Campuses in Georgia.
1) Berry College – Mount Berry, GA
With the distinct honor of having the largest contiguous college campus in the world, Berry is a fantastic place to go to school for students looking for scenic beauty. The school’s 27,000 acres contain forests, meadows, water, wildlife and 80 miles of trails ready for hiking, running, cycling and horseback riding. The campus also has a range of lovely buildings, including many built in the stately English Gothic style. Whether it’s for studying or outside recreation, Berry’s campus is unparalleled.
2) Emory University – Druid Hills, GA
In the middle of Atlanta’s metropolitan region, Emory has a beautiful 631-acre campus that can provide a respite from the rush of urban life. One notable building is the Lullwater House, built in 1926 with both Gothic Revival and Tudor styles in mind, and today houses the university’s president. The structure is right near Lullwater Preserve, which has many wooded trails and a lovely lake for outdoors enthusiasts. The school boasts a number of other stunning buildings and pristine landscapes for students to enjoy.
3) Mercer University – Macon, GA
Students at Mercer have many beautiful historic buildings nearby to keep them inspired. The Walter F. George School of Law, constructed in the Renaissance Revival style with a clock tower and white pillars, sits a mile from the main campus grounds. The Woodruff House, built in 1836 in the Greek Revival style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The school also has many lovely tree-lined pathways and green spaces for students to relax.
4) Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA
Though the skyscrapers of downtown Atlanta are visible from Georgia Tech, the campus feels worlds apart with its low buildings and widespread greenery. The school is divided into four primary areas – Central Campus, West Campus, East Campus and Technology Square – with the Historic District situated up on “The Hill,” the school’s original grounds. This nine-acre area holds many notable buildings, including the Carnegie Building, Lyman Hall and the “Tech Tower,” the main landmark of the university’s campus. The twelve buildings in the Historic District were all built between 1885 and 1923; the entire area is placed in the National Register of Historic Places.
5) Agnes Scott College – Decatur, GA
Though this scenic women’s liberal arts college is relatively small, it is full of architectural gems. The leafy campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a frequent shooting location for Hollywood movies. The namesake Agnes Scott Hall, built in 1891 in the Greek and Romanesque Revival styles, was the first building on campus. The school’s quad is a popular open space for students to enjoy nicer weather outside.
6) Covenant College – Lookout Mountain, GA
The claim to fame of Covenant College’s location on Lookout Mountain is a stellar vista where one can supposedly see a full span of seven states. The campus proper has a multitude of great sites, as well. The historic Carter Hall, built in 1928, was originally intended to be the Lookout Mountain Hotel and was later purchased by the college after it moved from St. Louis, Missouri. The 400-acre campus also has many nice outdoor spaces to spend time away from classes and study.
7) Spelman College – Atlanta, GA
Founded in 1881, Spelman has the great distinction of being the fourth historically black female institution of high education in the country. Many notable buildings fill the relatively small campus, from Rockefeller Hall, the oldest structure on campus, to Tapley Hall, the school’s original science building. Sisters Hall, named in honor of the school’s primary benefactor siblings, is considered one of the most significant structures on campus and was dedicated in 1927. The Museum of Fine Art is the country’s only museum emphasizing art made by women from the African Diaspora.
8) University of Georgia – Athens, GA
Founded in 1785, the main campus of UGA takes up a pleasant 762-acre area in one of America’s great college towns. The school’s landmark and icon is the cast-iron gateway in North Campus known as “The Arch,” which is patterned after the Georgia’s state seal. Many stately buildings in the Federal style occupy North Campus, including the Chapel, New College and Demosthenian. The school’s oldest permanenet building, Old College, was modeled after Yale’s Connecticut Hall.
9) Savannah College of Art & Design – Savannah, GA
Determined to blend in with the coastal city’s historic architecture, SCAD’s campus consists of 67 buildings in Southern Gothic downtown Savannah. The school has restored many historically notable structures in town and its restoration efforts have received many architectural awards. The school’s first academic building was the repurposed Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory building, which was originally built in 1892 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The live oaks and monuments surrounding the academic buildings give the campus a pleasant and deeply regional feel.
10) Morehouse College – Atlanta, GA
One of the country’s few remaining traditional men’s liberal arts colleges, and one of the most prominent historically black colleges in the nation, Morehouse has a lovely 61-acre campus near downtown Atlanta. When it was built in the 1880s, Graves Hall was the tallest building in the city and today has student housing, classrooms and offices. Forbes Arena was built for the 1996 Olympic Games and the 5,700-seat building hosts the college’s basketball team. Many monuments to renowned civil rights leaders can be found around campus, including an obelisk named in honor of theologian Howard Thurman.
11) Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, GA
The 920-acre campus at GSU has plenty of nature for students to enjoy. The Center for Wildlife Education and Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, the only nature center of its kind in a major university campus, holds the mascot bald eagle, as well as many birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. The nearby Wetland Preserve is a lovely place to stroll and regularly features many species of water fowl. GSU also has a trail-lined 11-acre botanical garden that features many plants native to the region.
12) Valdosta State University – Valdosta, GA
Located in the heart of the pleasant city of Valdosta, VSU sits on a lovely 168-acre property with many attractions. Unlike many campuses in the region, the university has a distinctive Spanish Mission architectural style for all of the structures on its main campus. The oldest building on campus is West Hall, constructed in 1917; the ornate hall’s domed roof is considered a landmark of the school. For students wanting outside time, the Camellia Trail is a great place for a stroll, with over 1,100 camellias shading a 3,000-foot-long path.
13) Young Harris College – Young Harris, GA
A small liberal arts college in the mountains of rural northeast Georgia, Young Harris has a lot of history on its grounds. Built in 1892, the Susan B. Harris Chapel is the oldest building on campus and Sharp Hall, built in 1912, has academic offices and the campus bookstore. In 2010, the school opened a 57,000 square-foot Recreation and Fitness Center, which features state-of-the-art sporting facilities. In 2014, a massive new campus center, which holds the student union, the school library and a new dining hall, was unveiled to the public.
14) Kennesaw State University – Kennesaw, GA
The third largest university in the state, KSU supports the education of over 36,000 students on its total of 581 acres on two campuses. The Social Sciences building, with its eye-catching “Spaceship Earth” sculpture in front, has cutting-edge facilities and is the first building in the University System of Georgia to meet Silver LEED requirements. The school’s historic district, comprising the oldest buildings on at the college, is in the western part of the campus and includes University College and Willingham Hall. The wide Campus Green is a popular area for outdoor lounging and casual sports, as well as occasional events.
15) Wesleyan College – Macon, GA
The oldest member of the so-called “Seven Sisters of the South” schools, Wesleyan College was chartered in 1836 and contains a lot of history on its campus. The college’s Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with its wide array of brick buildings in the Georgian style. A number of new buildings have been constructed over the past decade, including the Munroe Science Center and the Porter Fine Arts Building. There is a 6.3-acre lake, an equestrian center and many other options for outdoor recreation on campus.
16) Reinhardt University – Waleska, GA
Established in 1883, Reinhardt has many architectural gems on its 540-acre campus. One of the most notable buildings is the stately Burgess Administration Building and the first non-wooden building on campus is Dobbs Hall, built in 1926. The Funk Heritage Center is renowned as the state’s official interpretive center for Southeastern Indian culture. The campus has much natural beauty as well, with Lake Mullenix and the renovated Burgess Arboretum providing great outdoor relaxation opportunities for students.
17) University of West Georgia – Carrollton, GA
Frequently ranked as one of the best colleges in the southeast, UWG has a lot to offer to its students. In the small town of Carrollton, the school’s 645 acres includes a pedestrian campus, many historic buildings and a thriving “Greek Village” of 18 fraternities and sororities. The Bonner House is one of the school’s oldest buildings and the state-of-the-art Campus Center is a primary meeting place. There are also nature trails, an outdoor track and many green spaces for relaxing out in the open.
18) Clayton State University – Morrow, GA
On a wooded 192 acres in the dense metropolitan Atlanta region, Clayton State has a tranquil campus away from the urban bustle. There are five lakes on the grounds and the entire school retains a park-like feel despite its close proximity to a major city. The Judge Eugene Lawson Amphitheater, which overlooks Swan Lake, is an especially nice place to enjoy a sunny day. Notable buildings include the James M. Baker University Center and the performing arts hub of Spivey Hall.
19) Augusta University – Augusta, GA
One of the few public research universities in the University System of Georgia, the school’s main campus in Augusta contains four separate local campuses and covers over 200 acres. The tree-lined Summerville neighborhood campus has many notable buildings, like the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre and the Jaguar Student Activities Center. The campus at Forest Hills holds many of the school’s athletic opportunities, including a public golf course and the 3,800-seat Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Health Sciences campus has many cutting-edge facilities for medical research and hard sciences.
20) Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA
Right in downtown Atlanta, the massive Georgia State population of 53,000 students makes it the largest school in the state’s university system. The campus’ 518 acres is fully immersed in its urban setting – it boasts the slogan, “a part of the city, not apart from the city”. The first campus building constructed specifically for the university is Sparks Hall, which was built in 1955 and now houses offices, classrooms and computer labs. The scenic Hurt Park was once a great attraction in the city in the 1950s, with its iconic “Fountain of Light” and beautiful landscape design.
21) Georgia College & State University – Milledgeville, GA
Considered the state’s “Public Liberal Arts University,” GCSU’s central campus has a modest 43 acres in the middle of small-town Milledgeville. Many of the school’s buildings follow a uniform architecture of red brick with white Corinthian columns, similar to what was common during the Antebellum era. Notable structures include Russell Auditorium, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as Bell Hall and Sanford Hall. Not far from campus is the scenic Lake Laurel, which is used by academic programs and student recreation programs.
22) Armstrong State University – Savannah, GA
About as far from downtown Savannah as it is from Tybee Island beaches, Armstrong State’s campus has an ideal location. The school has an especially lush environment, with native plants, magnolia trees and oaks covered in Spanish moss all over the 268-acre campus. The recently expanded Lane Library is the cornerstone of the campus, with over 200,000 books and many study spaces. The new 61,000-square-foot Student Union opened in 2010; it’s the school’s first green building and houses a movie theatre, a bookstore and many lounge areas.
23) Columbus State University – Columbus, GA
The main campus at CSU is a modest 132 acres but has many attractions for students. Many notable buildings can be found around the school grounds, like the Schwob Memorial Library, the Turner College of Business and the Frank G. Lumpkin Center, home to the athletic department. The T.Y. Whitley Clock tower, with its open supporting arches and distinctive design, is one of the primary visual landmarks on campus. The university’s nearby RiverPark campus is home to its performing arts programs and has many opportunities for taking in excellent culture.
24) Oglethorpe University – Atlanta, GA
A small liberal arts college with just over 1,000 students, Oglethorpe was first chartered in 1835 and much of this history has been retained on campus. Many of the school’s buildings were designed in the Gothic Revival style, which informs the aesthetic of old campus. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Place; the ornate Lupton Hall, topped with a carillon bell tower, is representative of Oglethorpe’s historic architecture. The school has an active Greek life scene, with four fraternity houses and five sororities on campus.
25) Emmanuel College – Franklin Springs, GA
A private Christian liberal arts college, Emmanuel is considered one of the premier higher education institutions in the region. The 150-acre campus is ideally located, close both to Atlanta and Athens, as well as state parks and other natural attractions. Many historic buildings are spread around the school grounds, as are many newer buildings, like the recent addition of Roberson Hall dormitory. The wide grassy quad is a popular place for students to gather when the weather is nice.
26) Fort Valley State University – Fort Valley, GA
One of only two land-grant universities in Georgia, Fort Valley is a historically black university located in the center of the state’s famous peach industry. The school’s oldest building is the Dutch Revival-styled Anderson House, which was once the residence of one of FVSU’s founders. The Pettigrew Center is one of the primary event spaces on campus, hosting academic conferences and cultural performances. There are also many pleasant places around campus to socialize and lounge outside on nice days.
27) Piedmont College – Demorest, GA
Founded in 1897, Piedmont’s 300-acre campus in Demorest is nestled into Georgia’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. There are many notable buildings on campus, including the Center for Worship and Music, which has classrooms, performance spaces and a 3,675-pipe Sewell Pipe Organ. The new 58,000-square-foot Student Commons, which opened in 2015, has many state-of-the-art features and sports facilities. What was once known as Lake Demorest has been drained and turned into a wetland for teachers and students to use for their studies.
28) Georgia Southwestern State University – Americus, GA
With a 325-acre campus in the small town of Americus, GSW students have a lot to appreciate. The centerpiece of the campus is the Marshsall Student Center, which has a coffee shop, the school bookstore and other amenities. The stately James Earl Carter Library, name in honor of Former President Carter’s father, has a large circulation and a great computer lab. There are also many tree-lined walkways and open green spaces for outdoor relaxation.
29) Albany State University – Albany, GA
One of three historically black universities in the University of Georgia system, ASU has many features that make it a pleasant place to study. The Academic Building is a central hub for students, with an open atrium and many indoor lounging areas. The main tree-lined pedestrian mall is a scenic way to get between classes and a great place to relax outside. On the mall, ASU’s first and only outdoors sculpture, “Soil to Sun,” is considered to be an iconic piece of art among the nation’s historically black colleges.
30) Middle Georgia State College – Macon, GA
First founded in 1884, what is now known as MGA is the result of a merger between Macon State College and Middle Georgia College that happened in 2013. The school’s main campus comprises over 400 acres of property, formerly the site of Macon State, has a slow-moving river and a picturesque lake on the grounds. The historic Cochran section of the college is lush and scenic, with plentiful foliage and buildings that date back to the late 19th century. The school has state-of-the-art recreation facilities and many options for student housing.
©2017
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