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Colleges and Universities With the Best Campus Vibes

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Top Recommendations

  • High Point University (High Point, NC): Private Methodist liberal arts university

    What students say:
    "The students and the staff were so helpful and supportive."

    "It was like a mini resort there."
  • Texas A&M University (College Station, TX): Public land-grant research university

    What students say:
    "The atmosphere was so welcoming...[my campus tour was] energetic, amazing, [and] arranged in a good way."

    "It was exciting because it is full of so many people, and it has a big Christian community."
  • University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The overall atmosphere of the University was calming. It wasn’t extremely confusing to navigate or too chaotic. The students around campus are welcoming and are willing to help if you need it."

    "People are always out and about watching sports games and hanging out together, making it feel so unified."

Friendly Vibes

  • Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY): Public comprehensive university in the SUNY system

    What students say:
    "Everyone seems very happy and excited to either study or work there!"
  • Colorado State University Pueblo (Pueblo, CO): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "The coaches [and] admin office attitudes and friendliness [all gave me good vibes]."
  • Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, PA): Private comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "Everyone on campus was interactive and friendly. They also had TONS of fun activities for students."
  • Madonna University (Livonia, MI): Private Roman Catholic liberal arts university

    What students say:
    "Everyone was so welcoming, and [faculty] members were asking me if I needed anything."
  • The University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The faculty and students were so nice and happy to be there, and everyone was so welcoming."
  • The University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The people there will always give you a smile, and the campus is safe and beautiful."
  • University of Mississippi (University, MS): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The people were super nice and the campus was full of life!"
  • University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): Private research university

    What students say:
    "Students gathered, working together, eating together. The tour guides were very friendly and as we walked on the tour, many other students we passed said hi to them."

Nature Vibes

  • Berry College (Mount Berry, GA): Private comprehensive liberal arts and sciences college

    What students say:
    "It's the largest campus in the world [27,000 acres of woodlands, meadows, and streams] with a beautiful landscape, and the staff have a dedicated goal to the land and the vision of their founder."
  • Illinois State University (Normal, IL): Public research university

    What students say:
    "They promote a feeling of belonging but also have the ability to connect with nature in the quad with all of the native plants and trees that promote healthy ecosystems and support butterflies and bees."

Cool Campus Vibes

  • Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction, CO): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "It was exciting and so, so pretty up there, and [it had] a bubbly feel."
  • Georgetown University (Washington, DC): Private Jesuit Catholic research university

    What students say:
    "Beautiful architecture; got to tour libraries and study spaces which were well equipped, full of welcoming students, and cozy. Coffee shops everywhere, dorms with balconies and a river view, etc."
  • Laramie County Community College (Cheyenne, WY): Public two-year community college

    What students say:
    "The buildings were very neat and clean. The classrooms were organized. The arena for the rodeo team was big."
  • PennWest California (California, PA): Public liberal arts and sciences university

    What students say:
    "The campus was absolutely beautiful and they have a Chick-fil-A."
  • Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN): Public land-grant research university

    What students say:
    "The campus was very pretty and inviting, and it is in a college town that feels very fun and like a place that I could fit in."
  • Savannah State University (Savannah, GA): Public multipurpose Historically Black university

    What students say:
    "The campus has exciting vibes; the people there are amazing."
  • Southern Utah University (Cedar City, UT): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "Lots of trees, big buildings, and beautiful architecture"
  • The University of Chicago (Chicago, IL): Private research university

    What students say:
    "It looks magical, almost like Hogwarts."
  • University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI): Public research university

    What students say:
    "It was just alive and bright and something was always going on."
  • University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The campus is beautiful and full of southern charm. Lots of greenery and open-air spaces make it very attractive and welcoming."
  • University of Tennessee at Martin (Martin, TN): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "Low crime rate for the area; hometown atmosphere; everything is within walking distance."
  • University of Washington, Seattle (Seattle, WA): Public research university

    What students say:
    "The libraries and cherry blossoms [were beautiful] as well as the campus buildings."

Diverse Vibes

  • Columbia University (New York, NY): Private Ivy League research university

    What students say:
    "The atmosphere feels welcoming and exciting because it’s a different mix of cultures, different people, different vibe, so it’s very diverse."
  • Eastern Washington University (Cheney, WA): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "They have so many resources they are consistently making you aware of in every and all forms for all students of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences, including academic, financial, social, lifestyle, and mental coaching. They welcome you with open arms and also have student staff, making it feel more connected and opening jobs for the students."
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL): Public comprehensive university

    What students say:
    "There are people of all different kinds there! All backgrounds, all ethnicities, etc...it makes it feel more homey and lively to me, less alien and isolated."
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX): Public comprehensive research university

    What students say:
    "The diversity and the vibes everyone has, especially during football season—but the spirit is still there during other season games."
  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro (Greensboro, NC): Public research university

    What students say:
    "I loved the diversity and friendly vibe of campus! The staff are so supportive and they have many resources to help you be successful, including undergraduate research opportunities!"

Good Vibes All Around

  • Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY): Private liberal arts college

    What students say:
    "Large, lots of nature, great energy from students"
  • Belmont University (Nashville, TN): Private Christian liberal arts university

    What students say:
    "It is very beautiful and peaceful. It is also a very welcoming environment."
  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): Public land-grant comprehensive university within the CSU system

    What students say:
    "Lots of outdoor eating spaces, places to get active, outdoor activities like hiking nearby, ambitious students, nice weather"
  • Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA): Private Evangelical liberal arts university

    What students say:
    "The presence of the Lord; the faculty is amazing! Student life is wonderful."
  • Regis University (Denver, CO): Private Jesuit Catholic liberal arts university

    What students say:
    "The environment was so green and it was very peaceful and quiet. The architecture was stunning and the people were friendly."
  • The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX): Public land-grant research university

    What students say:
    "As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt so much energy and excitement. I could tell that the students loved their school, and that was evident by the students who led my tour."
  • University of Hawai'i at Manoa (Honolulu, HI): Public land-grant research university

    What students say:
    "The students all looked so happy to be there, the campus was gorgeous, and everything was just pristine! Also navigatable."
  • Wichita State University (Wichita, KS): Public research university

    What students say:
    "They care more about their students than their reputation."

Source: CX Student Users

Want more information on how this list was compiled? Find out more about where our Lists & Rankings come from.

About This List

When students embark on college tours, they often look for that intangible quality that makes a campus feel good—a unique vibe that draws you in and makes you feel comfortable, inspired, and part of a community.

Based on recommendations from visiting students, we’ve compiled a list of colleges and universities with the best campus vibes across various categories. For students seeking a memorable and meaningful college experience, these schools excel at creating welcoming and dynamic campus atmospheres.

Top Recommendations: Schools repeatedly recommended for a vibrant and inclusive environment that appeals to a broad range of students

Friendly Vibes: Schools that stand out for their warm, approachable student body and staff, making it easy for new students to feel accepted

Nature Vibes: Beautiful natural surroundings such as lush, green spaces; scenic views; and trails that allow students to recharge in nature

Cool Campus Vibes: Colleges with trendy, artsy, or exciting atmospheres and architecture, leaving students feeling inspired

Diverse Vibes: Campuses with a visible variety of perspectives and experiences that create a welcoming, multicultural environment

Good Vibes All Around: Recommendations for all of the above—colleges where students feel a strong sense of camaraderie, positive energy, school pride, and more

To explore further, click the green “Yes, connect me!” buttons next to our featured colleges and universities to demonstrate your interest and send your info directly to schools. And if you have any more recommendations for this list, contact us and let us know why a school should be added!

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Samford University

Birmingham, AL