Furman University among most beautiful college campuses of 2025: Why Condé Nast rated Furman

Remember those college days where you daydreamed while gazing outside your classroom window, eager to join your friends on campus?

It may have seemed like a long time ago, but if you attended Furman University, you know exactly what we're talking about.

At Furman, it's hard not to get lost in the natural beauty the campus has to offer, which includes a breathtaking backdrop of Paris Mountain to boot. But don't just take our word for it ― the campus is so stunning that Condé Nast Traveler editors have placed it in their roundup of the 54 most beautiful college campuses in the U.S. in 2025.

"If you're looking at undergraduate options, thinking of grad school, or just need some visual inspiration, these are the places to know about." the publication said about the list.

Here's what Condé Nast Traveler had to say about Furman.

What makes Furman one of the country's most beautiful college campuses?

Furman is a lakeside campus featuring a six-story Florentine bell tower, the grassy areas surrounding it perfect for student picnicking. In its review, Condé Nast Traveler called the Asia Gardens the "real treat," where Japanese and Chinese plants are brought to life through South Carolina's warm weather.

"The free garden is filled with bamboo, azalea, Japanese maples, and more ― making the walk to class in that humid Southern heat a little more pleasant." said the publication.

How did the Greenville City Economic Development Cooperation react to Furman's ranking?

Furman News said the Greenville City Economic Development Cooperation "ran with the news on Instagram," where they shared pretty pictures of the campus. They also mentioned Furman's accolades and contributions made to the city's economic growth by the Riley Institute, The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, The Center for Innovative Leadership, and The Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

They wrote, "Frankly, we've lost count of the number of parents who've moved their students to Furman and then moved themselves and their companies/careers to Greenville. It's special here."

Condé Nast Traveler's most beautiful southern college campuses of 2025 (unranked)

∎ Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

∎ Baylor University, Waco, Texas

∎ Berry College, Rome, Georgia

∎ Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

∎ Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

∎ Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida

∎ Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida

∎ Furman University, Greenville

∎ Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee

∎ Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas

∎ University of South, Sewanee, Tennessee

∎ University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas

∎ Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

∎ Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

∎ Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

∎ William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

∎ Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com