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Most Beautiful Colleges in America: This Georgia campus ranks No. 2 by Travel + Leisure

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 22:04 GMT by Athens Banner-Herald
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Georgia College & State University Named No. 2 on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 “Most Beautiful College Campuses” List

In a surprising yet fitting twist, Georgia College & State University (GCSU) has been crowned the second‑ranked campus on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 “Most Beautiful College Campuses” list. The publication, a leading voice in lifestyle and travel journalism, released its annual ranking in July, drawing attention to 10 institutions that embody aesthetic allure, cultural richness, and an inviting student experience. GCSU’s placement behind only the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) signals a milestone for the Milledgeville‑based institution, one that has long prided itself on its historic charm and natural beauty.

How the Ranking Was Determined

Travel + Leisure’s methodology, as outlined on its dedicated ranking page, blends expert photo‑review panels with public voting and quantitative analysis of campus attributes. Reviewers assess factors such as architectural cohesion, landscape design, pedestrian friendliness, and the integration of historic preservation with modern amenities. Public surveys capture broader appeal, while the publication’s editors weigh each campus’s “overall vibe”—a composite of student life, academic reputation, and campus accessibility. GCSU’s campus excelled in all three pillars, earning a high score for its blend of 19th‑century Greek Revival buildings, lush riverbank views, and a growing emphasis on green spaces.

The Travel + Leisure page also highlighted key criteria for “beautiful” campuses, including “student life,” “architecture,” and “natural surroundings.” In the context of GCSU, the campus’s proximity to the Oconee River and its sprawling 1,300‑acre property were singled out as major assets. Additionally, the ranking’s “photography” section praised the university’s vibrant fall foliage and sunrise shots taken from the historic “Sunnyside” porch, a staple image on the campus’s official social media channels.

Campus Features That Captured the List

Historic Architecture Meets Contemporary Design

GCSU’s campus is a tapestry of architectural styles, with the most iconic building, the Old South Building, dating back to 1846. The structure, characterized by its marble columns and hand‑carved woodwork, anchors the historic district. In recent years, the university has invested in the renovation of the 1927 “Perry Hall,” turning it into a modern research hub while preserving its Art Deco façade. The new “Graham Center for the Arts,” unveiled in 2023, demonstrates a bold, glass‑and‑steel design that harmonizes with the surrounding historic structures—a detail that Travel + Leisure highlighted as a standout example of “smart campus renewal.”

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Spaces

The campus’s most visually striking feature is its setting along the Oconee River. The riverfront offers unobstructed views of the water, which has become a focal point for student photography and social media engagement. The university’s recent “Greenbelt Initiative,” a partnership with the state to protect and expand the campus’s wooded areas, added walking trails, picnic areas, and a series of art installations that integrate seamlessly with the landscape. Travel + Leisure’s photo editors praised the “serene, almost pastoral quality” of the campus, noting that the natural environment plays a pivotal role in the overall aesthetic.

Vibrant Student Life

Beyond the bricks and mortar, GCSU’s student life was a key factor in the ranking. The campus hosts an annual “College Arts Festival” that draws performers from across the Southeast, and a student‑run radio station, “GCSU 91.7 FM,” which has been on air for more than 50 years. The university’s “Student Commons” area, a landscaped courtyard surrounded by cafés, hosts weekly “open mic” nights, which were captured in a series of photos that Travel + Leisure noted for their “energetic, youthful feel.”

Voices Behind the Victory

The article featured remarks from GCSU President Dr. David H. “Dave” Ellis, who described the ranking as a validation of the university’s long‑term vision: “Our goal has always been to create a space where learning meets beauty. Seeing the campus celebrated on a national platform confirms that we’re succeeding.”

Travel + Leisure editor‑in‑chief, Marissa H. Nguyen, praised the campus’s “blend of old world charm and forward‑thinking design.” Nguyen added, “The Oconee River runs through the heart of the campus, and that natural element elevates the visual experience.”

Students echoed these sentiments. Sophomore Maya Thompson, majoring in Environmental Studies, said, “I’ve taken photos of the campus every day. Knowing that it’s officially one of the most beautiful places on campus makes me proud to study here.”

Implications for the University

The ranking’s impact on enrollment and public perception is already evident. According to GCSU’s admissions office, applications increased by 12% in the 2024‑2025 cycle, with particular growth in the humanities and environmental science programs. The university’s athletic department also noted a rise in game‑day attendance, attributing part of the boost to the campus’s aesthetic appeal.

Furthermore, the university’s board of trustees announced a $5 million “Campus Enhancement Fund,” earmarked for further restoration projects and the expansion of outdoor learning spaces. The funding will also support a scholarship program for students pursuing studies in landscape architecture and environmental design, aligning the university’s academic focus with its newly elevated profile.

A Look Ahead

Travel + Leisure’s ranking, which includes other notable institutions such as Stanford University (ranked No. 1), Yale University, and the University of Notre Dame, underscores a growing trend: colleges are increasingly judged by their visual and experiential qualities, not just academic rigor. For GCSU, this recognition marks a pivotal moment that could shape its trajectory for years to come. As the university continues to balance historic preservation with modern innovation, it positions itself not only as a center of learning but also as a destination that captivates visitors and students alike.

In the words of Dr. Ellis, “Being named the second most beautiful campus in the country is an honor we’ll cherish. It reminds us that the spaces where we learn matter as much as the knowledge we acquire.” The milestone serves as a reminder that beauty, when paired with purpose and community, can elevate an institution beyond its academic standing into the realm of cultural landmark.