From picturesque lakes to architectural marvels, here are 12 of the most beautiful college campuses in Virginia.
Not all Virginia college campuses are created equal. While the commonwealth is known for having an exceptional number of quality higher education institutions, not all of them are known for having beautiful campuses.
Here are 12 of the most beautiful campuses throughout the commonwealth.
Public colleges
University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville
Perhaps one of the most iconic college campuses in the commonwealth is the University of Virginia, which was designed and established by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. Spread across 1,682 acres, the campus takes up a good portion of Charlottesville.
The Rotunda, a circa-1826 Palladian-style dome structure, and the surrounding area known as The Lawn are the two most well-known features of the campus. Surprisingly, the campus is the only university classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country.
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Location: Wise
The secluded Appalachian town of Wise serves as the home of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The 396-acre campus was originally a farm when it opened in 1954.
From the college, one can look out and marvel at the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
Throughout the campus, you’ll find an assortment of manicured lawns, dense brush thickets, woodland forests, reclaimed strip mines, ponds, and creeks.
Old Dominion University
Location: Norfolk
Unlike other Virginia colleges, Coastal Virginia’s Old Dominion University has a waterfront campus.
For example, the Lafayette River runs alongside the campus. Whitehurst Beach, which features a pier, is the best place to enjoy the waterfront.
The College of William & Mary
Location: Williamsburg
Spanning 1,200 acres, The College of William & Mary is full of historic charm. Explore the circa-1693 campus by following the brick paths that crisscross the grounds.
The campus has four major draws, including the Wren Building, Crim Dell, Sunken Garden, and Lake Matoaka.
The Wren Building was constructed between 1695 and 1700. The towering campus icon serves as the backdrop for several William & Mary traditions.
The Crim Dell is a charming pond and naturalized area. You’ll know you’re there when you spot the Chinese-style bridge that spans the pond.
The Sunken Garden serves as the institution’s main quad. The large open area, which was constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, serves as the go-to place on campus for soaking up the sun. It’s bordered by six academic buildings.
Lake Matoaka, named after Chief Powhatan’s daughter who is commonly known as Pocahontas, is the oldest man-made lake in the commonwealth having been built only 25 years after the institution was chartered. The lake is surrounded by more than 10 miles of trails, wooded groves, perennial gardens, and green spaces.
James Madison University
Location: Harrisonburg
Situated in the Shenandoah Valley with the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains in sight, James Madison University’s 721-acre campus offers a range of notable campus attractions.
Wilson Hall, a stately cira-1931 structure, can be found overlooking the sprawling green Quadrangle.
Newman Lake further beautified the campus when it was installed in 1967 as Sieberts Creek was dammed. With its fountain in the center, the lake is the first impression visitors get when they arrive on the campus.
The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, a woodland sanctuary that serves as both an urban garden and forested green space, adds to the beauty of the campus.
Private colleges
Southern Virginia University
Location: Buena Vista
Southern Virginia University is neatly tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, creating a “serenity conducive to learning.”
The 300-acre campus features historic neo-colonial architecture.
University of Richmond
Location: Richmond
Despite being in the commonwealth’s capital city, once you set foot on the 350-acre University of Richmond campus you feel as though you’ve been teleported to a different place—one with historical castle and secluded garden vibes.
Surprisingly, Westhampton Lake is also in the middle of the campus. There also a 13-acre space on campus with a meadow and woodland that connects the campus to the James River called the Eco-Corridor.
Washington & Lee University
Location: Lexington
Calling the Shenandoah Valley home, Washington & Lee University sits on 325 acres between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountain ranges.
Steeped in history, the university is the ninth oldest college or university in the country. It has called Lexington home since 1749. It has two U.S. National Historic Landmarks buildings, including the Colonnade, made of red brick, and Lee Chapel, a Victorian-style structure.
Hollins University
Location: Roanoke
Hollins University’s historic 475-acre campus feels as though it’s from another time. Instead of big soulless buildings, it features charming halls with covered porches that have unique histories.
One of the highlights of the campus is the shady Front Quad, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The open fields that are part of the university’s equestrian program also give the campus a pastoral feel.
Emory & Henry University
Location: Emory
What was once farmland near a natural spring was turned into the Emory & Henry University campus in 1836. Situated in the Appalachian highlands, the campus is surrounded by sprawling mountains, valleys, and forests, making it distinctly picturesque.
The 168-acre campus is also part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Many people find the Duck Pond, which is fed by a natural spring and is home to an assortment of ducks, to be the most beautiful spot on campus.
Ferrum College
Location: Ferrum
Situated on 700 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ferrum College’s rural setting offers a tranquil place for students who prefer a slower pace. Given its location, it stands to reason that Ferrum was one of the first colleges in the country to offer an environmental studies program.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the campus is Adams Lake, which sits prominently in the middle. While at the lake, one might spot a river otter, muskrat, four-toed salamander, or eastern musk turtle.
Sweet Briar College
Location: Sweet Briar
Sweet Briar College’s rural campus spans an impressive 2,847 acres, featuring 18 miles of trails, two lakes, old hardwood forests, lush green spaces, a 17-acre vineyard, mountain vistas, and 22 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It should come as no surprise that the college is one of the largest private college landholders in the country.
Visitors to the campus will first see the Charles W. Carry Nature Sanctuary, a 45-acre white oak forest that flanks the entrance road. Many of its oaks are more than 200 years old.
