In addition to learning about the best universities that suit you best, there is another exciting thing you may not know. Those universities are ranked among the most beautiful in the world. Guaranteed their beauty will make you fall in love at first sight.
Not only famous for their achievements and long history, but many universities around the world also make anyone admire their beautiful campus and architecture like in the movies. Even at first glance, many people do not think this is the learning environment of many generations of students.
Here are 50 colleges rated as the most beautiful campus in the world that you should know.
1. University of Oxford, England
| Established | c. 1096; 926 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 24,515 (2019) |
| Academic staff | 6,995 (2020) |
Oxford, England’s University of Oxford, is a collegiate research university. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest university still in operation, with teaching evidence dating back to 1096. Since Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris in 1167, it has increased. Some academics fled to Cambridge in the northeast after disputes between students and Oxford townpeople in 1209, where they established the University of Cambridge. The two ancient universities in England are collectively referred to as Oxbridge because they share numerous characteristics. Both are regarded as among the world’s most prestigious universities.
During King Henry III’s reign in 1248, a royal charter was issued to the university. Academics fled to Cambridge after disputes in 1209 between academics and townspeople, where they later established Cambridge University. In the 13th century, various religious orders, such as the Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, and Augustinians, settled in Oxford. In 1249 William of Durham enriched College School; His name is on the college Balliol. Oxford and Cambridge universities prevented some disgruntled Oxford scholars from starting a new school.
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter film series, you’ll know that several scenes were filmed at the University of Oxford, England. This world-renowned institution has produced countless successful graduates, including 28 Nobel laureates, 27 prime ministers, and over 30 international leaders. Learn more about Emma Watson, one of the University’s most famous alumni.
2. University of Cambridge, England
| Established | c. 1209; 813 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 24,450 (2020) |
| Academic staff | 3,615 (excluding colleges) |
The College of Cambridge is a public university research college in Cambridge, Britain. Established in 1209 and conceded an illustrious contract by Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world’s third most seasoned enduring college and one of its most renowned, at present positioned second-best on the planet and the best in Europe by QS World College Rankings. Among the college’s most striking graduated class are 11 Fields Medalists, seven Turing Grant champs, 47 heads of state, 14 English state leaders, 194 Olympic decoration-winning competitors, and some of world history’s most groundbreaking and famous figures across disciplines, including Francis Bacon, Master Byron, Oliver Cromwell, Charles Darwin, Stephen Peddling, John Maynard Keynes, John Milton, Vladimir Nabokov, Jawaharlal Nehru, Isaac Newton, Bertrand Russell, Manmohan Singh, Alan Turing, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and others. According to the university, Cambridge faculty and alums have won 121 Nobel Prizes, more than any other university worldwide.
Preceding 1209, Cambridge and its region had fostered an insightful and ministerial standing. An incident at Oxford essentially served as the impetus for the establishment of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge was granted the authority to discipline its members in the 1231 charter of Henry III.
3. Harvard University, Massachusetts
| Established | 1636; 386 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 19,218 (Fall 2020) |
| Academic staff | ~2,400 faculty members (and >10,400 academic appointments in affiliated teaching hospitals) |
Massachusetts Hall is Harvard College‘s oldest building and the second oldest academic building in the United States after the Wren Building at the College of William & Mary. As a result, it is significant not only in the history of American education but also in the story of the English Colonies’ development in the 18th century. Harvard College was the first institution of higher learning in the British colonies in America. Massachusetts Lobby was planned by Harvard Presidents John Leverett and his replacement Benjamin Wadsworth. Harvard Yard was built between 1718 and 1720. For the 64 students, it was meant to house. It was initially a dormitory with 32 chambers and 64 small private study spaces. 640 American soldiers used the hall as their quarters during the Boston siege. Most of the interior woodwork and hardware, including brass doorknobs, at this time, vanished.
Even though it was built as a student residence, it has been used for many different things over the years. For instance, the building housed an informal observatory after Thomas Hollis donated a quadrant and a 24-foot telescope in 1722.
4. Flagler College, Florida
| Established | 1968; 54 years ago |
| Type | Private, liberal arts |
| Students | 2,574 |
| Location | St. Augustine, Florida, U.S. |
Flagler School is a confidential human sciences school in St. Augustine, Florida. It was established in 1968 and offers one master’s program and 33 undergraduate majors. Additionally, it has a Tallahassee campus.
In Jacksonville, Florida, Flagler College is a modest private liberal arts institution. The Ponce de León Hotel is the centerpiece of the 19-acre (77,000-m2) campus, established in 1968. The hotel was built in 1888 for Henry Flagler as a luxury hotel.
5. Trinity College, Dublin
| Established | 3 March 1592; 430 years ago |
| Type | Private |
| Students | 18.900 (2020) |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
The only constituent college of the University of Dublin, a research university in Dublin, Ireland, is Trinity College, officially known as The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin. The college, named “the mother of a university” by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, was modeled after the collegiate universities of Oxford and Cambridge; however, unlike these affiliated institutions, there was only one college ever established; Therefore, for practical purposes, the terms “Trinity College” and “University of Dublin” are frequently used interchangeably.
Pope Clement V established the first University of Dublin in 1311. A group of Dubliners obtained a charter in 1592 that included Trinity College. Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin, was the college’s first provost, and the institution was named for his former Cambridge college.
6. Queen’s University, Ireland
| Established | in 1845 |
| Type | Public |
| Students | 24.000 |
| Academic staff | Belfast, Cork, Galway, Ireland |
As the degree-granting university of the Queen’s Colleges of Belfast, Cork, and Galway, which was established in 1845 “to afford a university education to members of all religious denominations” in Ireland, the Queen’s University of Ireland was officially established on September 3, 1850, by Royal Charter.
In 1880, the Royal University of Ireland, which Queen’s University Belfast replaced, formed the National University of Ireland, including University College Dublin and the colleges in Cork and Galway.
To provide Catholic students with access to higher education, the Queen’s Colleges (Ireland) were established in 1845. Pope Pius IX referred to them as the “godless colleges” and described them as “detrimental to religion.” This prompted the formation of the Catholic College of Ireland in Dublin.
7. Princeton University, New Jersey
| Established | October 22, 1746; 276 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 1,068 (Fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 1,068 (Fall 2021) |
In Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University is a private research university. Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution. It was established in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey. It is the greatest-positioned college on the planet. In 1747, the institution moved to Newark, and nine years later, it moved to its current location. In 1896, it became an official university and was renamed Princeton University. It belongs to the Ivy League.
Princeton University began as the College of New Jersey in 1747. At the time of its founding, it was the fourth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. The founders wanted a broad curriculum to teach people in all jobs, not just ministry.
Looking to learn at one of the most prestigious universities in the world? Princeton University in New Jersey offers students a beautiful campus for studying, as well as a long history of academic excellence. Check out 20 Presidents With The Highest IQ Scores Of All Time to learn about some of the smartest men ever to lead the country.
8. University of Salamanca, Spain
| Established | in 1218 |
| Type | Public |
| Students | 30,000 |
| Academic staff | 2,453 |
Salamanca University (Universidad de Salamanca) is a Spanish university in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in the city of Salamanca. King Alfonso IX established it in 1218. It is one of the oldest universities worldwide and the oldest in the Hispanic world. It has more than 30,000 understudies from 50 distinct identities.
King Alfonso IX of the Leonese Clans founded Salamanca University in 1218 as a university. In 1255, the Royal Charter of Alfonso X was confirmed by a papal bull issued by Alexander IV. During the reigns of Ferdinand II and Isabella I of Aragon, the institution quickly rose to prominence. The College of Salamanca assumed a significant part in advancing European expansionism in the New World. Like Oxford and Cambridge, Salamanca had several colleges (Colegios Mayores).
9. Cornell University, New York
| Established | April 27, 1865; 157 years ago |
| Type | Private Ivy League statutory land-grant research university |
| Students | 25,593 (Fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 1,639 – Ithaca, New York1,235 – NYC, New York34 – Doha, Qatar |
Ithaca, New York, is home to Cornell University, a private, statutory land-grant research institution. Cornell was established in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White with the intention of teaching and contributing to all areas of knowledge, from the classics to the sciences, theoretical to practical. A well-known quotation from Cornell’s founder, Ezra Cornell, from 1868 encapsulates these unconventional ideals: ” I would establish a school where anyone could receive instruction in any field. Cornell is one of the best universities in the world. It belongs to the Ivy League.
On April 27, 1865, Cornell University was founded. Representative Ezra Cornell offered his homestead as a site and $500,000 of his fortune as an underlying enrichment. On October 7, 1868, they officially opened the university, and the following day, 412 men enrolled. It has associations with establishments in India, Singapore, and the Individuals’ Republic of China. The foundation stone for the brand-new “Bridging the Rift Center” was laid in 2004 by Stanford and Cornell.
10. Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
| Established | December 13, 1769; 253 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 943 (fall 2018) |
| Academic staff | 6,608 (fall 2019) |
Dartmouth School is a confidential examination college in Hanover, New Hampshire. It was one of the nine colonial colleges established before the American Revolution and was founded in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock. The university was initially established to teach Native Americans about Christian theology and the English way of life. However, in its early years, it primarily trained Congregationalist ministers before gradually becoming secular. At the turn of the 20th century, it rose from relative obscurity to national prominence. It belongs to the Ivy League.
The main campus of Dartmouth University spans 269 acres (109 ha) in the New England countryside of the Upper Valley. Dartmouth is a minor Ivy League institution with approximately 6,700 students enrolled. Dartmouth operates on a quarter system, with four ten-week academic terms per year.
If you’re considering attending Dartmouth College, don’t miss the chance to explore the beautiful outdoor scenery nearby. Take a hike or cross-country ski in the stunning White Mountains. For more unique bodies, check out these celebrities with knock knees to help embrace your own unique physical traits.
11. University of Colorado at Boulder
| Established | March 14, 1876; 146 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 37,956 (fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 3,547 |
In Boulder, Colorado, a public research university is known as the University of Colorado Boulder. The University of Colorado’s flagship institution was established in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state. CU Boulder is ranked R1 in the Association of American Universities, a select group of major North American research universities. Doctoral Universities – Very high levels of research activity[10]. According to the National Science Foundation, the university spent $536 million on research and development in 2021, placing it 50th in the nation.
On September 5, 1877, the University of Colorado officially opened its doors. In 1956 and 1962, CU hired its first African American professors and librarians. During World War II, it was one of 131 national colleges and universities that participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program.
12. Royal Roads University, British Columbia
| Established | 1995 |
| Type | Public university |
| Students | 5,300 |
| Academic staff | 52 core full-time, plus 450 associate faculty |
Royal Roads University is a public institution with a Colwood, British Columbia campus. It is situated at Hatley Park Public Notable Site on Vancouver Island. The government of British Columbia established Royal Roads University as a public institution focusing on applied and professional degree-granting in 1995, following the decommissioning of Royal Roads Military College. RRMC alums are considered members of the university’s larger alum community.
As HMCS Royal Roads Military College, Royal Roads University was established in 1940. James Dunsmuir, a coal and rail tycoon, commissioned the main structure, Hatley Castle, to be finished in 1908. In 1940, the family sold the estate to the federal government so the military could use it.
13. University of San Diego, California
| Established | November 18, 1960; 62 years ago |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Students | 42,968 (Fall 2022) |
| Academic staff | 10,915 (October 2020) |
In San Diego, California, the University of California, San Diego is a public land-grant research university. Laid out in 1960 close to the previous Scripps Organization of Oceanography, UC San Diego is the southernmost of the ten grounds of the College of California, and offers north of 200 undergrad and advanced education programs, selecting 33,096 undergrad and 9,872 alum understudies. The main campus covers approximately 1,152 acres (466 ha) of the university’s 2,178 (881 ha) near the Pacific Ocean. Major college and university rankings place UC San Diego among the world’s best universities.
Regarding research emphasis, UC San Diego was the first general campus designed “from the top down.” UCSD Pascal, an early machine-independent programming language that later influenced Java, was developed with the assistance of researchers. From 1980 to 1995, when he was chancellor, Richard C. Atkinson oversaw a rapid expansion of engineering departments.
Explore the beautiful campus of University of San Diego, California through the 50 Most Famous Native Americans in Media – Hood MWR article. The university embraces diversity and gives respect to the Native American culture, which is an integral part of their community.
14. University of London, England
| Established | 1836; 186 years ago |
| Type | Public |
| Students | Around 219,410 |
| Academic staff | 100 (central academic bodies; 2018/19) |
The University of London is a public federal research university in London, England, in the United Kingdom. “other such other Institutions, corporate or unincorporated, as shall be established for Education, whether within the Metropolis or elsewhere within our United Kingdom,” the royal charter that established the university in 1836 designated it as a degree-awarding examination board for students with certificates from University College London and King’s College London. Because of this, it is one of only three universities in England that can claim to be the third-oldest university. In 1900, it moved into a federal structure. It is now incorporated by its fourth royal charter, issued in 1863, and the University of London Act of 2018 governs it.
College School London (UCL) was established in 1826 as an option in contrast to Oxford and Cambridge. Ruler’s School London was established as an Anglican school by illustrious sanction in 1829. In 1836 and 1837, royal charters established the University of London.
15. Furman University, South Carolina
| Established | 1826; 196 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts university |
| Academic staff | 308 |
| Location | Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. |
In Greenville, South Carolina, Furman University is a private liberal arts institution. The oldest private educational establishment in South Carolina is Furman University, established in 1826 and named after the clergyman Richard Furman. In 1992, it became a secular university with the motto “Christo et Doctrinae” (for Christ and learning). Its 750-acre (304-hectare) campus has approximately 2,700 undergraduate and 200 graduate students from 46 states and 53 nations.
In 1825, the South Carolina Baptist Convention established Furman Academy and Theological Institution. Furman operated in the High Hills of the Santee, now Stateburg, South Carolina, from 1829 to 1834. From 1834 to 1837, it was gone. In 1850, the state lawmaking body contracted Furman College.
16. Kenyon College, Ohio
Kenyon College, Ohio via thoughtco
| Established | 1824; 198 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | 1,708 |
| Location | Gambier, Ohio, United States |
In Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon College is a private liberal arts institution. Philander Chase founded it in the year 1824. The Higher Learning Commission grants Kenyon College its accreditation.
One thousand seven hundred eight undergraduates are enrolled at Kenyon. The 1,000-acre campus follows a semester-based academic calendar and is in a rural area. The Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC), which occupies more than 380 acres and is home to seven distinct ecosystems, is located on the campus. The BFEC likewise gives scholastic open doors, including the Late spring Science Researchers program. There are over 120 student organizations on campus, including eight fraternities and sororities. Athletes from Kenyon participate in the NCAA Division III North Coast Athletic Conference as the Owls, formerly known as Lords and Ladies.
With the arrival of poet and critic John Crowe Ransom as professor of poetry and first editor of The Kenyon Review in 1937, Kenyon’s English department gained national recognition. During the 1940s and 1950s, The Review was the most well-known and influential literary magazine in English-speaking countries.
17. University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| Established | 1583; 439 years ago |
| Type | Public research universityAncient university |
| Students | 35,375 (2019/20) |
| Academic staff | 4,800 FTE (2021) |
Scotland’s Edinburgh is home to the public research university known as the University of Edinburgh. It is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and the sixth-oldest university still in operation in the English-speaking world. King James VI gave it a royal charter in 1582 and officially opened it in 1583. The college assumed a significant part in Edinburgh, turning into a central scholarly focus during the Scottish Edification and added to the city being nicknamed the “Athens of the North.” Edinburgh is one of the best universities in the world, as well as in the UK.
With an annual revenue of £1.176 billion, Edinburgh University is the third-largest university in the United Kingdom. 19 Nobel Prize winners were alumni or academic staff at Edinburgh as of October 2021. Several heads of state and government are alums of the university.
18. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
| Established | 2 October 1991; 31 years ago |
| Type | Public |
| Students | 16,054 |
| Academic staff | 697 |
In the New Territories of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a public research university on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Established in 1991 by the English Hong Kong Government, it was the region’s third organization to be allowed college status.
1991 marked the beginning of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (UST). After The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University, it was Hong Kong’s third university. The main understudies signed up for October 1991, and convenience and offices were extended to help around 7,000 understudies by 1992.
19. Notre Dame University, Indiana
| Established | November 26, 1842; 180 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 12,809 (Fall 2022) |
| Academic staff | 1,424 (Fall 2022) |
The University of Notre Dame du Lac, or simply ND, is a private Catholic research university located outside of South Bend, Indiana, in Notre Dame. The school was established in 1842 by French priest Edward Sorin. The Golden Dome, the Word of Life mural (also known as Touchdown Jesus), Notre Dame Stadium, and the Basilica are all part of the main campus, which spans 1,261 acres (510 ha) in a suburban setting. Although some women earned degrees in 1918, the university officially began accepting female undergraduate students in 1972.
It ranks among the best private universities in the country. The Fighting Irish are the school’s athletic teams, and its football team has won 11 national championships.
20. Pepperdine University, California
| Established | 1969 |
| Type | Private law school |
| Students | 9,554 |
| Location | Los Angeles County(Malibu post office address), California, United States |
The law school of Pepperdine University, a private research university located in Los Angeles County, California, is the Rick J. Caruso School of Law, formerly known as the Pepperdine University School of Law. The school offers joint degrees with its J.D. and Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) in partnership with other Pepperdine University graduate schools. In addition, the school offers various Master of Laws (LLM) options in Dispute Resolution, International Commercial Arbitration, United States Law, and Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law. The school now offers online Master of Dispute Resolution and Master of Legal Studies programs.
U.S. News & World Report places the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution second in the nation for 2020. Rick Caruso, an alumnus who is worth a billion dollars, made a $50 million donation to the school in 2019.
If you’re a Republican looking for a beautiful college campus, Pepperdine University in California offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Its architecture, Spanish-style buildings, and impeccable landscaping make this campus a sight to see. And if you’re curious about which celebrities share your political beliefs, check out our list of Republican celebrities who have endorsed conservative candidates and policies.
21. University of Bologna, Italy
| Established | c. 1088; 934 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 90,291 |
| Academic staff | 2,917 |
The Bologna University is a public research university. It is the world’s oldest university and the first university to award degrees. It was established in 1088 by an organized guild of students called studiorum. The term “universitas” was first used when it was founded. With over 90,000 students, it is the second-largest university in Italy after Rome’s La Sapienza.
In 1088, a group of students organized into a guild and established the University of Bologna. It was the first higher education institution to award degrees and is the world’s oldest continuously operating university. It is Italy’s second-largest university, with over 90,000 students.
22. University of British Columbia,Vancouver
| Established | 1908; 114 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 66,266 |
| Academic staff | 5,696 (Vancouver)600 (Okanagan) |
Public research university The University of British Columbia (UBC) has campuses in Kelowna and near Vancouver, British Columbia. Laid out in 1908, it is English Columbia’s most seasoned college. The university is considered one of Canada’s top three. With a yearly examination financial plan of $759 million, UBC subsidizes north of 8,000 tasks per year.
The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Vancouver campus can be found west of downtown Vancouver. In 2005, the Okanagan campus was purchased in Kelowna, British Columbia. UBC is home to TRIUMF, Canada’s national particle and nuclear physics laboratory.
If you’re a student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, studying geology may be of interest to you. Learn more about the fascinating geological wonders of the Pacific Northwest, including its volcanoes and cascades.
23. University of Capetown, South Africa
| Established | 1 October 1829; 193 years ago |
| Type | Public |
| Students | 28,233 |
| Academic staff | 1,176 |
In Cape Town, South Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university. It began as the South African College in 1829 and received full university status in 1918, making it the oldest continuously operating university in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa.
By private act of Parliament in 1918, the University of Cape Town (UCT) was established. In the QS World University Rankings, it is the highest-ranked African university. Its faculties of medicine, law, and commerce consistently rank among the top 100 worldwide.
24. University of Chicago, Illinois
| Established | 1859; 163 years ago |
| Type | Public Asian-serving and Hispanic-serving research university |
| Students | 34,199 |
| Academic staff | 3,243 |
In Chicago, Illinois, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a public research university. Its campus is near the Chicago Loop in the Near West Side neighborhood. The subsequent grounds laid out under the College of Illinois framework, UIC is likewise the most prominent college in the Chicago metropolitan region, having more than 33,000 understudies signed up for 16 schools. It is categorized as “R1: Doctoral Universities – A lot of research is being done.”
1859 marked the beginning of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Nursing, pharmacy, communication, education, law, and public administration are just a few fields in which the university has established itself as a global leader. In the years following World War II, it established an undergraduate program and developed its West Side campus.
If you’re studying at the University of Chicago, you’ll be surrounded by the rich culture and history of the Windy City. Check out the top 51 richest states in the U.S to see how Illinois stacks up and gain some insight into the financial landscape of the country.
25. University of Glasgow, Scotland
| Established | 1451; 571 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 32,465 (2019/20) |
| Academic staff | 4,680 (2020) |
In Glasgow, Scotland, the University of Glasgow is a public research university. It is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The papal bull established it in 1451. During the 18th century, the university was a part of the Scottish Enlightenment and the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and St. Andrews.
Its main campus is in the city’s West End, but some of the most critical people from modern history are alums. The organization spent £693.1 million in 2020–21 while earning £809.4 million annually.
26. University of Hawaii at Manoa
| Established | March 23, 1907; 115 years ago |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Students | 19,098 (Fall 2021) |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
In Mānoa, a neighborhood in Honolulu, Hawaii, the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa is a public land-grant research university. It is the flagship campus of the University of Hawai’i system and houses its main offices. The John A. Burns School of Medicine is next to the Kaka’ako Waterfront Park on the eastern side of the mouth of the Mānoa Valley.
One of only four land-grant universities in the United States, the University of Hawaii at Mānoa (U.H. or U.H.) is involved in such activities. It is categorized as “R1: Doctoral Universities – A lot of research is being done.” Robert Ballard, Richard Parsons, and Barack Obama’s parents are among its graduates.
27. University of Otago, New Zealand
| Established | 1869; 152 years ago |
| Type | Public research collegiate university |
| Students | 21,240 (2019) |
| Academic staff | 1,744 (2019) |
The public research collegiate university, the University of Otago, is located in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. Established in 1869, Otago is New Zealand’s most seasoned College and possibly of the most established colleges in Oceania.
In 1869, an ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council officially established the university, which a committee headed by Thomas Burns established. The University of Otago conferred degrees in its name while it was a component of the federal University of New Zealand from 1874 to 1961.
One of the world’s most beautiful university campuses is Otago University. Students at Otago have been naming their flats for a long time. The practice of covering one’s face with a scarf during New Zealand’s bitterly cold southern winters is the source of the term “Scarfie.”
If you’re a fan of the TV show Lost, you might recognize some of the alumni of the University of Otago. This beautiful New Zealand campus is known for its outstanding academic programs as well as its stunning architecture and natural surroundings. Explore the exciting offerings of this prestigious institution and consider studying abroad there. For more information about the Lost Cast Alumni, check out Lost Cast members who attended college.
28. University of Virginia, Virginia
| Established | January 25, 1819; 203 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 25,018 (Fall 2019) |
| Academic staff | 3,265 (Fall 2019) |
In Charlottesville, Virginia, lies the public research university known as the University of Virginia (UVA). The university, which Thomas Jefferson established in 1819, is one of the best in the United States and has a highly competitive admissions process. Set inside the Academical Town, a UNESCO World Legacy Site, the college is alluded to as a “Public Ivy” for offering an educational encounter like that of an Elite level college. Its historic foundations, student-run honor code, and secret societies are among the rarest characteristics of public universities.
The College of Virginia was established in 1765 by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. The number of Rhodes Scholars awarded by the school ranks eighth in the United States. Its graduates have established 2.3 million jobs and generated more than $1.6 trillion in annual revenue.
29. Stanford University, California
| Established | 1891; 131 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 17,246 (Fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 2,279 |
Stanford College, formally Leland Stanford Junior College, is a confidential examination college in Stanford, California. Over 17,000 students attend the campus, one of the largest in the United States, covering 8,180 acres (3,310 hectares). Stanford is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Leland and Jane Stanford established Stanford University in honor of their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who succumbed to typhoid fever when he was 15 years old in 1885. The school conceded its most memorable understudies on October 1, 1891. There are 36 varsity sports for students to play, and they have won 131 NCAA team championships.
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30. University of Sydney, Australia
| Established | 1850; 172 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 74,862 (2021) |
| Academic staff | 3,514 (2021) |
A public research university in Sydney, Australia, the University of Sydney (USYD) is also known as Sydney University or Sydney Uni. It is Australia’s oldest university and one of six sandstone universities, established in 1850. The university offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through eight academic faculties and schools.
Australia’s top university is the University of Sydney. The university was ranked first in Australia and among the top 40 worldwide regarding graduate employability in the QS World University Rankings. This one is one of the first universities to admit students solely based on academic merit. There have been 110 Rhodes Scholars and 19 Gates Scholars from the school.
31. Yale University, Connecticut
| Established | October 9, 1701; 321 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 12,060 (Fall 2020) |
| Academic staff | 5,118 (Fall 2021) |
In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is a private research university. It is the third-oldest higher education institution in the United States and one of the most prestigious in the world, having been established in 1701 as the Collegiate School. It belongs to the Ivy League.
Yale is coordinated into fourteen constituent schools. The university’s endowment was worth $42.3 billion in 2021, making it the second largest of any educational establishment. In the NCAA Division I – Ivy League, students represent the Yale Bulldogs in intercollegiate sports.
If you’re interested in the ENTP personality type, check out these famous people with ENTP personality types. Yale University is known for producing top-notch graduates who go on to become leaders in their fields, and this personality type is often found in people who are innovative and entrepreneurial. Who knows, you might just be inspired to follow in their footsteps!
32. The College of William & Mary, Virginia
| Established | 1940; 82 years ago |
| Type | Public university |
| Students | 8,817 (2019) |
| Location | Gloucester Point, Virginia |
One of the largest centers for marine research and education in the United States is the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). In terms of its legal mandate to provide research, education, and advisory services to government, citizens, and industry, VIMS—which was established in 1940—is unique among marine science institutions. Private donations, grants, and contracts from federal and state agencies and the Commonwealth of Virginia contribute to VIMS’s funding. The College of William & Mary’s graduate school in marine science is the School of Marine Science (SMS) at VIMS. VIMS offers professional M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in marine science. The school has four academic departments, 52 faculty members, and 80 and 100 students. Gloucester Point, Virginia, is the location of the main campus of VIMS.
33. University of Queensland, Australia
| Established | 1909; 113 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 55,305 (2019) |
| Academic staff | 2,854 (FTE, 2019) |
The public research university known as the University of Queensland (UQ, or Queensland University) is primarily situated in Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. The University of Queensland is one of the six sandstone universities, an informal designation for the oldest university in each state. As of 2023, The University of Queensland is ranked 42nd in the world and 2nd in Australia. Additionally, The University of Queensland is a founding member of edX, Australia’s leading Group of Eight, and the international research-intensive Association of Pacific Rim Universities.
It has alums and former staff, including two Nobel laureates and more than one hundred Olympians. UQ North America and the UQ-Ochsner Clinical School in the United States are two of UQ’s overseas facilities.
Take a break from studying at the beautiful University of Queensland in Australia and check out our list of the most beautiful places in the world. From stunning beaches to breathtaking mountains, these destinations will leave you in awe and inspire you for your next adventure.
34. Villanova University, Pennsylvania
| Established | 1842; 180 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 10,943 (fall 2020) |
| Academic staff | 545 |
In Villanova, Pennsylvania, Villanova University is a private Roman Catholic research institution. The Augustinians established it in 1842 and named it Saint Thomas of Villanova. The university is one of only two Augustinian institutions in the United States (the other is Merrimack College), and it is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania. It is characterized among “R2: Doctoral Universities — A lot of research is being done.”
The old Saint Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia was founded in 1796 by Augustinian friars of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, and its parish school, Saint Augustine’s Academy, which was established in 1811, is where the university got its start. Most students at the school are Catholic, priests lead the administration, every building has a cross, and every first-year student must take the Augustine and Culture Seminar (ACS) course. The school’s identity is still deeply rooted in its Augustinian Catholic foundation.
35. University of Cincinnati, Ohio
| Established | 1819; 203 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 46,710 (2021) |
| Academic staff | 3,446 Full-time,2,596 Part-time (2021) |
Cincinnati, Ohio’s University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati) is a public research institution. It is Cincinnati’s oldest higher education institution and the second-largest university in Ohio, with over 44,000 students enrolled annually. Cincinnati College was established in 1819 as Cincinnati College. It is a component of the Ohio University System. The university has four main campuses: the main uptown campus in Cincinnati, the medical campus in the Heights and Corryville areas, and branch campuses in Ohio in Batavia and Blue Ash.
It has been ranked 54th nationwide for research funding and was the first university to use a cooperative education model.
If you’re from Ohio or are just curious about the Hollywood stars that hail from there, check out our article on the 50 Famous Celebrities From Ohio. You might be surprised to find out who made the list!
36. University of Coimbra, Portugal
| Established | 1290; 732 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 25,580 (2021) |
| Academic staff | 2,126 |
In Coimbra, Portugal, the University of Coimbra is a public research university. It was first established in 1290 in Lisbon, and it moved several times before 1537 when it moved permanently to Coimbra. The university is one of the oldest still in operation in the world—it is also the oldest university in Portugal—and has significantly impacted the growth of higher education in the Portuguese-speaking world. The university’s unique architecture, culture and traditions, and historical significance were all cited by UNESCO in its 2013 designation as a World Heritage Site.
One of the oldest universities in Portugal is the University of Coimbra, established in 1265. A group of European research universities founded in 1985 bears its name. It is one of the most international universities in Portugal, with over 20,000 students and over 15% international students.
37. College of Charleston, South Carolina
| Established | 1770; 252 years ago |
| Type | Public university |
| Students | 11,000 |
| Location | Glebe, George, St. Philip and Green streets, Charleston, South Carolina |
The College of Charleston (CofC or Charleston) is a public university in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the oldest university in South Carolina, the 13th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, and the nation’s oldest municipal college. It was established in 1770 and chartered in 1785. The institution was founded by Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge, three future signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and John Rutledge, three future signers of the United States Constitution.
The School of Charleston was established in 1770. In the United States, it is the 13th-oldest higher education institution. The first design was like a tactical sleeping shelter in structure. The college came under the control of the city of Charleston in 1837.
38. Tsinghua University, China
| Established | 1911; 111 years ago |
| Type | Public |
| Students | 50,390 |
| Academic staff | 3,565 |
University of Tsinghua (simplified Chinese: 清华大学; orthodox Chinese: 清華大學; pinyin: dàxué qnghuá; abbr. In Beijing, China, THU) is a national public research university. The Ministry of Education provides funding for the university.
The C9 League, Double First Class University Plan, Project 985, and Project 211 are all associated with the university. It has produced numerous notable leaders in science, engineering, politics, business, academia, and culture since its founding in 1911.
Tsinghua University was ranked 14th worldwide in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and 16th worldwide in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings as of that year. The U.S. News & World Report and THE Asia University Rankings placed Tsinghua first in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021.
39. University of Washington, Washington
| Established | November 4, 1861; 161 years ago |
| Type | Public research university |
| Students | 49,025 (2021) |
| Academic staff | 5,803 |
Informally known as U-Dub, the University of Washington (UW), also known as Washington University, is a public research university in Seattle, Washington.
One of the West Coast’s oldest universities, Washington, was established in 1861. About a decade after the city’s founding, it was established in Seattle. In addition to campuses in Tacoma and Bothell, the university has a 703-acre main campus in the city’s University District. One of the largest library systems in the world, with more than 26 university libraries, art centers, museums, laboratories, lecture halls, and stadiums, UW encompasses over 500 buildings and more than 20 million gross square feet. The university operates on a quarter system and offers degrees through 140 departments.
Medical, engineering and scientific research make Washington famous. In 2018, it spent $1.41 billion on R&D, ranking fifth in the nation, according to the National Science Foundation. The college has been subsidiary with numerous striking graduated classes and staff, including 21 Nobel Prize laureates.
40. The University of the South, Tennessee
| Established | September 10, 1794; 228 years ago |
| Type | Public land-grant research university |
| Students | 31,701 (Fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 1,700+ |
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is the University of Tennessee system’s flagship campus, with ten undergraduate and eleven graduate colleges. It was established in 1794, two years before Tennessee became the 16th state. It is home to over 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 nations. It is categorized as “R1: Doctoral Universities – A lot of research is being done.”
One of the oldest public universities in the United States is the University of Tennessee. The papers of Tennessee’s three presidents are housed in collections at the university. Nine of its former students have been chosen to become Rhodes Scholars. In 1986, one alum was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics.
41. Berry College, Georgia
| Established | 1902; 120 years ago |
| Type | Private college |
| Students | 2,308 |
| Location | Rome, Georgia, United States |
Berry College is a private liberal arts institution in Rome, Georgia, near Mount Berry. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) grants it accreditation. In 1902, Martha Berry established Berry College on Christian principles and values.
On 83 acres of land, Martha Berry established the Berry Boys Industrial School in 1902. Construction and operational costs were kept low by male students providing free labor. The school’s campus expanded to 30,000 acres in the 1930s thanks to a significant donation from Henry Ford. The SACS granted Berry College its accreditation in 1957.
42. Rice University, Texas
| Established | September 23, 1912; 110 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 8,212 (Fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 680 full time |
Rice University, or William Marsh Rice University, is a private research institution in Houston, Texas. It is situated on a campus that covers 300 acres, close to the Houston Museum District and the Texas Medical Center. Rice is one of the best universities in the country.
Rice is an undergraduate-focused research university that opened in 1912 as the Rice Institute after William Marsh Rice’s murder. Its 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio demonstrates its focus on undergraduate education. The university conducts a lot of research, and in 2019, it received $156 million in sponsored research funding. Research on artificial hearts, structural chemical analysis, signal processing, space science, and nanotechnology are just a few of Rice’s applied science programs. Since 1985, Rice has been a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Doctoral Universities – A lot of research is being done.”
A student-run Honor Council enforces the strict Honor Code, which undergraduate students are bound by. The university is a member of Conference USA and participates in 14 NCAA Division I varsity sports.
43. Duke University, North Carolina
| Established | 1838; 184 years ago |
| Type | Private research university |
| Students | 16,780 (fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 3,982 (fall 2021) |
In Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private research university. The school, established in 1838 by Methodists and Quakers in Trinity, moved to Durham in 1892. The Duke Endowment was established in 1924 by tobacco and electric power industrialist James Buchanan Duke, and the organization changed its name to honor his deceased father, Washington Duke.
With an acceptance rate of 6.2% for the class of 2026, the university’s undergraduate admissions are among the most competitive in the nation. The university has been associated with 15 Nobel laureates and three winners of the Turing Award as of 2019.
44. Middlebury College, Vermont
| Established | November 1, 1800; 222 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | 2,858 |
| Academic staff | 311 (2017) |
In Middlebury, Vermont, Middlebury College is a private liberal arts institution. Congregationalists established Middlebury in 1800, making it Vermont’s first operating college or university. With 2,858 undergraduates from all 50 states and 74 countries enrolled, the college offers 44 majors in the arts, humanities, literature, foreign languages, social sciences, and natural sciences. It also offers engineering programs in partnership with Columbia University, Dartmouth College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The school has graduate schools, the Middlebury College Language Schools, the Bread Loaf School of English, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and its C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad international programs, in addition to its undergraduate liberal arts program. It is one of the Little Ivies, an unofficial group of liberal arts colleges with high academic standards, most of which are located in the Northeastern United States.
45. Bard College, New York
| Established | 1860; 162 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | 2,305 |
| Academic staff | 257 |
In Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, Bard College is a private liberal arts institution. The Hudson River Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, surrounds the campus, with views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River.
The institution, which was established in 1860, consists of a liberal arts college, a conservatory, eight graduate programs, and more than 20 graduate degrees in the arts and sciences. Over 35 affiliated programs, institutes, and centers are part of the college’s network, which spans twelve cities, five states, seven nations, and four continents.
46. Sewanee University, Tennessee
| Established | |
| Type | |
| Students | |
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Sewanee, Tennessee’s University of the South, also known as Sewanee, is a private Episcopal liberal arts college. The Episcopal Church’s 28 southern dioceses own it, and the school’s School of Theology is an official church seminary. The university’s School of Letters offers graduate degrees in American Literature and Creative Writing.
The College of Sewanee was established on July 4, 1857. It was the first American university established south of the Mason-Dixon Line. After being laid by Confederate Bishop Leonidas Polk, Union soldiers destroyed the university’s cornerstone. Although construction of the University of the South was halted during the Civil War, it was established in 1857. On September 18, 1868, nine students and faculty attended the university’s first conference. A second graduate school, Sewanee’s School of Letters, opened in 2006.
47. Lewis and Clark College, Oregon
| Established | 1867; 155 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Students | 3,509 (Fall 2021) |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
In Portland, Oregon, Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts institution. The college was founded in Albany, Oregon, in 1867 as the Albany Collegiate Institute. In 1938, it moved to Portland and changed its name to Lewis & Clark College in honor of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. There are three locations: a School of Law, a Graduate School of Education and Counseling, and an undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences.
Lewis & Clark is a college that competes in the Division III Northwest Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and is a member of the Annapolis Group. The undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences will have just over 2,000 students as of the fall of 2021. These students come from 47 states and 54 countries. The environmental law program at the School of Law is the most well-known.
The 137-acre (0.55 km2) campus centered on the M. Lloyd Frank Estate on Palatine Hill in the Collins View neighborhood of Southwest Portland now houses the three campuses and their supporting offices.
48. Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania
| Established | 1864; 158 years ago |
| Type | Private liberal arts college |
| Undergraduates | 1,647 (fall 2018) |
| Academic staff | 207 |
In Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College is a private liberal arts institution. Swarthmore College was one of the first coeducational colleges in the United States. It was established in 1864, and the first classes were held there in 1869. “under the care of Friends, [and] at which an education may be obtained equal to that of the best institutions of learning in our country,” it was established as a college. Swarthmore had officially abandoned its religious affiliation and declared itself non-sectarian by 1906.
Swarthmore provides over 600 courses annually across more than 40 subject areas, including an engineering program accredited by ABET and leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. The graduates of the school have achieved prominence in numerous fields. Five Nobel Prize winners and eleven MacArthur Foundation fellows are among the graduates.
49. John’s College Santa Fe, New Mexico
| Established | 1965; 57 years ago |
| Type | Public college |
| Students | 12,607 (Fall 2020) |
| Location | Gainesville, Florida, United States |
Santa Fe College is a public institution with satellite campuses in Alachua and Bradford counties and its main campus in Gainesville, Florida. The Florida College System encompasses it. The Florida Legislature established it in 1965 as Santa Fe Junior College and began offering classes in September 1966. The school has 12,607 students enrolled as of Fall 2020 and offers associate and baccalaureate degree programs.
As Santa Fe Junior College, Santa Fe Community College was established in 1965. The college’s name occasionally led to confusion with a Santa Fe, New Mexico, institution with a similar name. To emphasize its bachelor’s degree programs, the college officially changed its name to Santa Fe College in 2008.
50. Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts
| Established | Seminary, 1837 (seminary charter, 1836)Seminary and college, (collegiate charter) 1888; College, 1893 |
| Type | Private liberal arts women’s college |
| Students | 2,342 (fall 2021) |
| Academic staff | 247 (fall 2021) |
Mount Holyoke School is a confidential human sciences ladies’ school in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It is the oldest of the elite group of historically women’s colleges in the Northeastern United States, known as the Seven Sisters.
The Five College Consortium includes Mount Holyoke College. Students who identify as female, transgender, or nonbinary are not eligible for undergraduate admission. However, applicants of any gender can apply to any graduate program. Notable poets, authors, feminists, academics, entertainers, scientists, politicians, and civil rights activists are among the alums and affiliates.