When building a balanced college list, we like to encourage students to look beyond academics and explore what else a college or university has to offer to meet their interests. For some, this may mean a touch of luxury. We’ve previously highlighted schools with luxurious dorms, but, just like the schools on this list, we wanted to take it a step further and show some of the other cool features colleges have to offer.
From resort-like campuses to top-notch facilities and cool campus treats, here are Dr. Kat’s favorite colleges with awesome amenities.
High Point University, High Point, NC
With its over $700 million campus renovation, High Point University in North Carolina has gained prominence over the past few years. This is largely due to amazing new amenities such as top-notch residence halls with pools, basketball and volleyball courts, restaurants, and one residence that even allows students to have pets!
The campus also boasts a first-class movie theater, Extraordinaire Cinema, which offers complimentary tickets and concessions for students, as well as an arcade. Foodies at High Point can also get their fix at the school’s 1924 Prime Steakhouse, where students can enjoy a five-course meal once a week using their meal plans.
High Point University is a private, liberal arts school with an undergraduate enrollment of just under 4,000. Apart from its fabulous amenities, High Point also offers students small class sizes, over 55 undergraduate degrees including an individualized major track, and numerous study abroad opportunities.
University of California – San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Being close to the ocean may be appealing enough, but the University of California – San Diego has a lot more to offer students than just sand and surf.
Have some free time between classes? UCSD students can browse the shops at the Price Center and Student Center, including a full-service bike shop, a grocery store, and a hair salon. Students can also enjoy ping-pong, foosball, and other games at the Gameroom. UCSD also has its own on-campus thrift store.
Students frequently attend free lectures, grab a bite to eat at the campus food truck, and attend free events at The Loft, a performance lounge.
UCSD students also enjoy discounted admission to the school’s Birch Aquarium, as well as numerous outdoor recreation amenities including a ropes challenge course, climbing center, various trips and classes, and surfboard and camping rentals.
Considered a “Public Ivy,” UCSD is a research university with an undergraduate enrollment of about 24,000. UCSD offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, over 500 student clubs and organizations, and is home to over $2.3 million worth of works by Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
Amenities aren’t limited to just new facilities. At Oberlin College, students are allowed to take a step back in time and rent famous works of art from the Allen Memorial Art Museum for decor. From Pablo Picasso to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, students can display fine art in their dorms for only $5.
In addition to visual art, Oberlin also encourages musical expression with access to over 230 Steinway grand pianos across campus, including one in every residence hall.
Students at Oberlin can also take advantage of the campus’s 13.5-mile bike trail, an on-campus bowling alley, performances at the Cat in the Cream student-run coffee shop, several on-campus museums and galleries, and a rock climbing wall.
Oberlin is a private liberal arts college with an enrollment of just under 3,000. Students can choose from 47 undergraduate majors and over 175 students clubs and organizations.
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Known for its beautiful, resort-like campus, the University of Central Florida is chockfull of amenities for students.
The campus, designed to be pedestrian friendly, is made up of a series of interlaid circles, mirroring the layout Walt Disney planned for EPCOT. But the campus location and layout aren’t the only things reminiscent of Disney. With its resort-style buildings and numerous fountains and reflecting pools, including the campus’s iconic reflection pond at Millican Hall, being at UCF feels more like a day on vacation than at school.
In addition to its beautiful campus, UCF spoils its students with great on-campus dining, including over a dozen restaurants, such as a sushi bar, the Knightstop, and the school’s own Yum Yum Cupcake Truck.
UCF’s Recreation and Wellness Center recently underwent a $21 million renovation, making it one of the most luxurious campus fitness centers. The 150,000 square foot RWC includes two pools, expanded cardio and weight machine areas, and offers dozens of group fitness classes.
UCF also boasts an on-campus lake, Lake Claire, a ropes course, disc golf course, and even its own campus stables.
Founded in 1963, UCF is one of the fastest growing public research universities in the US, with an undergraduate enrollment of just over 50,000. UCF offers over 200 courses of study as well as dozens of opportunities for undergraduate research.
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
If living in a luxurious residence hall is one of your top priorities, look no further than Rockoff Hall at Rutgers University.
As a privately owned living community that leases exclusively to Rutgers students, Rockoff Hall provides a great campus living experience without the hassle of the school’s housing lottery system. Rockoff Hall features a high-end fitness center, lounges on every floor, a cyber cafe with free printing, and a 7-11 and pizza place on site.
Other campus amenities include the Rutgers Club dining buffet and recreational facilities that include a ropes challenge course, an Olympic size pool with a diving tower, an 80-foot climbing wall, and a roller hockey rink.
Rutgers University is a public research university and the eighth oldest college in the US. Rutgers has an undergraduate enrollment of around 44,000 across four campuses, and offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and degree programs.
Other schools that offer great campus amenities include Davidson College, Boston University, University of Maryland, Sweet Briar College, and Princeton University.
For more insight into schools that could be a great fit for you, contact us today for more information on our research services and comprehensive counseling programs.
