Three Texas Campuses Rated Prettiest in U.S.

Architectural Digest recently released its list of “The 64 Prettiest College Campuses in America” and three Texas campuses were included.

The magazine looked at various factors, including architecture, scenic views, and landscaping. Baylor was the highest-ranked campus in the state, finishing at No.14. The magazine said the Georgian-style buildings were the feature that set the campus apart from others. Several buildings on the campus have been nominated for design awards.

The Foster Business and Innovation building was nominated for the Best Use of Daylighting award in the 2017 AL Design Awards by Architect Magazine. The building was nominated for the unique use of natural light that illuminates the three-story structure year-round.

That same year, Baylor was named one of the most beautiful southern campuses by Southern Living.

“Not only are current and prospective students and their families drawn to Baylor by its mission and educational opportunities but also by the aesthetics of a beautiful campus,” Lori Fogleman, assistant vice president for media relations and crisis communications, told Southern Living, according to The Baylor Lariat.

Rice University came in at No.16 on the campus list. The magazine highlighted the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture that gives the campus a California feel. Southern Methodist University finished at No.25, and the magazine drew particular attention to Dallas Hall, which was first building constructed on the campus.

According to AD, the prettiest campus in the nation was the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, which AD noted has many beautiful buildings and a stunning view of Diamond Head, a dormant volcano crater. St. John’s College Santa Fe (New Mexico), St. Olaf College (Minnesota), Brown University (Rhode Island), and Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts) rounded out the top five on the list of prettiest campuses.