50 Colleges That Rival Ivy League Campuses in Beauty

50. University of Nevada, Reno – Desert Beauty Meets Academic Rise

Reno might not be the first place you'd associate with stunning campuses, but UNR is a striking exception. Situated against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada, the university blends neoclassical architecture with high-desert vistas and crisp mountain air. The historic Quad, a leafy green oval surrounded by brick academic buildings, anchors the campus in tradition. Beyond it, modern research labs and art centers reflect a rising academic profile. The blend of snow-capped views, endless skies, and red-brick symmetry gives the university a rugged elegance. It’s a Western gem where ambition, architecture, and arid beauty intersect.