Best campuses
Just did a 21-college tour of the NE with my daughter and have to say, I came away convinced Michigan has one of the best campuses in America. The diag is an ideal centerpiece, the buildings are distinctive and the campus blends into the town. Cornell might be more picturesque, but campustown is like a mile down a steep hill.
Haven't been everywhere, but I haven't seen a better campus when it comes to character and functionality. What do people think?
Side note -- Rutgers is much nicer than I expected.
Worked in HIgher Ed on the East Coast for some time.
Campuses I enjoy:
UPENN, Cornell, Villanova, UVA, Duke, Princeton, Univ. of Vermont in Burlington, Dartmouth, and Swarthmore, in no particular order.
21 college tour !? Why was that necessary? Or was it more of an excuse to spend time with your teenage daughter ?
Been to many, but Kenyon College and UCLA stand out in my memory
UVA is absolutely gorgeous as others have said. The history is fantastic which includes the secret society markings all over the buildings to which they donated.
Fun Fact - the Z's only put their mark on the sides of stairs.
One of the most unique "college towns" is Lexington, VA, home to both Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee. The two schools are adjacent, and the stark contrast between the austere beige military buildings of VMI and the rolling greens and white columns of Washington & Lee is really an interesting dichotomy.
Love Ann Arbor. IU is also one of my all-time favorites. Love the white limestone architecture and the abundance of trees.