
A college campus is more than just a place to go to class or grab a bite in the dining hall—it’s where students live and make lifelong friends. A pretty campus can make all the difference. Travel + Leisure recently named the 30 most beautiful college campuses in the U.S., and one New Jersey university made the list.

Princeton University is as well known for its elite Ivy League academics as it is for its architecturally stunning buildings, placing it 11th on the national list. Built in Gothic style, the buildings on the 600-acre campus are just one spectacular part of the town, which also features boutiques and restaurants along Nassau Street and in Palmer Square.

When wandering the campus, look for Nassau Hall, Blair Hall, Princeton University Chapel and East Pyne Hall. The Dillon Gym and the University Store are also really impressive.

Take in the green spaces, classic theaters, art centers, the library and the YMCA along side streets. There are plenty of walking and biking trails, plus the D&R Canal, where you may spot the university’s Crew team. The picturesque streets surrounding the downtown have stunning and historic homes.

The 30 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the U.S., according to Travel + Leisure:
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
2. Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia
3. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
4. Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida
5. Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
6. University of San Diego, San Diego, California
7. Rice University, Houston, Texas
8. Cornell University, ithaca, New York
9. The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
10. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
11. Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
12. Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
13. Swarthmore College, Swathmore, Pennsylvania
14. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
15. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
16. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
17. University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder Colorado
18. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
19. Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts
20. The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
21. University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
22. Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
23. Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina
24. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
25. Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida
26. University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
27. University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
28. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
29. Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
30. Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon
Read More:
These 2 Universities in New Jersey Have Some of the Most Instagrammable Campuses in the U.S.
The Top 10 Colleges & Universities in NJ For 2025, According to New Report
Things to Do in Princeton
Popular Now:
New Jersey’s Best Beaches, According to USA Today Readers
The Best Counties to Live in New Jersey
The Best Free Beaches in New Jersey
The Best Cities to Live in New Jersey, According to U.S. News & World Report
These 30 Towns Are the Top Places to Live in New Jersey, According to Niche
The Best High Schools for Athletes in New Jersey, According to a 2025 Ranking
These NJ High Schools Send the Most Grads to Harvard, Princeton & MIT
This NJ Gem Was Just Named One of the Best New Hotels on the Planet