Ugliest College Campuses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's important is what goes on inside, not outside.

If my kid doesn't like the outside she won't want to take a tour or apply. Most (not all) kids want a school that they find aesthetically pleasing -regardless if it's an urban, suburban or rural campus.

Your kid + her 3 friends does not = “most”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duke - but i think it was as much the vibe as the aesthetics

This has to be a joke. You may hate the vibe but it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful schools in the country.

Agree. I live in Chapel Hill, and know quite a few Tarheels that bleed Carolina Blue and hate Duke with a passion. Even they admit that it’s a great looking campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Purdue

????? Purdue might no5 be the prettiest but it is definitely middle of the road standard.

NP. Maybe not bottom of the barrel but definitely below average. Too much nondescript red brick and not enough trees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This list is odd - some of the schools look very attractive.

Which schools on the list do you think are attractive ?

NP here but many of the schools on the list are not UNattractive, they just don’t have the picture-perfect Disney-esque environment of say Duke.

Duke was mentioned as ugly upthread.

Not everyone is looking to go to college as Disney-esque. What appeals to a 17 year old on any given day can vary greatly from the opinions of architects and others.

[Anonymous]

UMD isn't bad, really. Fairly cohesive campus, nice buildings.

Georgia State and all the SUNY campuses definitely deserve their spots.

Tennessee and Wisconsin both have terrific locations, but mostly butt ugly buildings.

[Anonymous]

Most of those on the list were once commuter schools or the majority of students commuted.

BU is by far the ugliest in the country. 1959 mid century Russian architecture. The back side facing the river is ok but the rest is ugly

[Anonymous]

I personally don’t like Duke’s campus

Or Virginia Tech’s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally don’t like Duke’s campus

Or Virginia Tech’s

You're an outlier whose views are likely shaped by something other that any sense of design or aesthetics. So give yourself a cookie and move on.

[Anonymous]

Drexel, BU, ASU, UNLV, VMI are all terrible. GW and Northeastern barely a notch above. Va Tech is polarizing. Some love the hokie stone, some do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:American University. It's not ugly as much as it feels completely soulless.

Interesting, insightful comment.

But not wrong.

Disagree, we liked it very much. The International service building is beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why was UMD on the list? I think it’s a nice campus.

I agree. It is a great looking campus for a such a large school and the brick buildings bring a nice consistency across styles. I prefer it to Michigan (except for UM's beautiful law school). The site's description below reads as possibly a little racist too considering College Park's location. A "need for high security" is excessive.

"Similar to many other campuses on our list, College Park is a brick wonderland. Its unfortunate Georgian aesthetic choice is the main reason this school gets on the list. With its cold, rigid architecture and need for high security, College Park leaves a lot to be desired."

I noticed this, too. I actually like the look of the UMDCP campus. It feels comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely agree Mudd is ugly.

UCSD… well it’s got some ugly buildings… but you can’t beat the location!

We loved Mudd! Gorgeous location and fun campus. Small and quirky and the outside lounge areas overlooking the foothills were like Architectural Digest. Our kid didn’t get in but otherwise would have gone there. Also liked UCSD. The Dr Seuss library is impressive!

Maybe Mudd has changed but when I was there it was all ugly cinderblock buildings. Concrete brutalism. Dorm furniture was ugly and el cheapo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Georgetown, Northeastern are ugly

Georgetown? It’s gorgeous.

The buildings are old and not maintained

I think both schools are nice, DCs loved both campuses, as the buildings and campus seemed cohesive and fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYU is actually pretty good. Great location and vibe.
It sort of has the central green location, Washington Square, and the NYU buildings are surrounding it.

NUY and Northeastern would be the two best Urban campuses.
Northeastern actually has a nice modern looking cohesive campus for an urban college.

+1

ITA. The locations for both schools are prime, also.

[Anonymous]

That's funny. I have taken classes at five different universities in my lifetime, and three of them are on this list.

My brother has been to two universities and one is on the list.