The University of San Diego (USD) has snatched the crown for the nation's most picturesque campus, according to The Princeton Review's 2025 edition of "The Best 390 Colleges." This marks the second time USD has claimed the title in three years, with the education services company relying on survey feedback from over 160,000 student voices nationwide.
Not only does USD take the cake for its stunning grounds, but it also doesn't skimp on bragging rights when it comes to its academic chops and student life, boasting a Changemaker ethos that one student claims the university gets its students involved through "projects, seminars, field trips, study abroad programs, and team-taught courses," which is just one piece of commentary from the trove of student insights featured in the Princeton Review's report.
USD's commitment to impactful change isn’t just talk, as half its student body participates in its expansive study abroad network, which spans 44 countries. Professors are lauded for their passion and dedication, fostering personalized learning experiences through office hours and including students in the midst of real-world applications of their coursework.
As if a sunny academic haven wasn't enough, the student body at USD harmonizes hard work with social engagement; think sustainability meets style as they hustle between sun-soaked study sessions and an active campus life where, according to a student via the Princeton Review, everyone is "welcoming and enjoyable to be around" and weekends are for city explorations or beach bumming – all within ten minutes from the capacious and well-tended USD grounds.
Let's not forget those who consider the Greek life scene. USD sports a “very accepting Greek life system” with a reassuring motto: "These hands don't haze." For the newcomers, living-learning communities ease the transition by connecting students in residential clusters with shared academic themes, promoting a sense of belonging alongside educational pursuits, per the Princeton Review.
