12 reasons Loyola’s campus is ranked the most beautiful in the country

From an idyllic Quad and a picturesque wraparound porch that are both optimal for socializing, studying, and relaxing to nationally ranked residence halls, an incredible new Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning, and an unbeatable location, Loyola University Maryland has all the ingredients for an amazing college campus.

And we’re not the only ones who think so...

Loyola was crowned No. 1 for the Best College Campuses in Maryland for the second consecutive year by Niche in its 2022 Best Colleges rankings. It’s also recognized among the Best College Campuses in America (also by Niche), ranking in the top 10% of more than 1,400 campuses across the country.

Here are 12 reasons Loyola’s campus is among the most beautiful in the country.

Loyola’s Quad is the quintessential grassy spread you imagine when you think of college life. Situated at the heart of campus, the Quad is the center of life at Loyola. It’s a beautiful place to gather, throw a Frisbee, get some work done, sit for a class, or enjoy an annual event, like Loyola’s springtime festival, Loyolapalooza. The Quad also features a statue of St. Ignatius, our namesake and patron saint, as Loyola—our Loyola—is the first institution of higher education in the United States to bear his name.

You can’t visit the lush Quad and not notice the abundance of trees. In fact, Loyola’s Evergreen campus sits on a sprawling 81 wooded acres in the heart of a residential neighborhood in North Baltimore, just four miles north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Encompassing more than 2,200 trees that represent at least 114 varieties, Loyola’s arboretum includes nine Champion Trees, which are among the largest of their species. The arboretum has achieved level II accreditation and been recognized as a Tree Campus Higher Education institution for both 2020 and 2021 for the University’s preservation and conversation efforts.

The arboretum is just one example of Loyola’s commitment to environmental sustainability. With a focus on leaving the world a better place for future generations, Loyola has joined the first cohort enrolled as a Vatican Dicastery Laudato Si' University. Loyola has also been recognized among the Princeton Review’s list of Green Colleges.

The Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning, which opened in fall 2021, will be the first LEED-certified building on campus.

Loyola’s ongoing sustainability efforts include following an all-encompassing Climate Action Plan and Energy Management Policy; sponsoring a local, community-focused farmers’ market to serve Loyola’s neighbors, and numerous other initiatives for sustainability education and action.

Loyola’s reimagined and renovated Beatty Hall, which broke ground in 1922, is adjacent to and integrated with the new Fernandez Center for Innovation and Collaborative Learning, nearly 100 years later. Loyola truly has a knack for combining old with new—and timeless with cutting-edge. The Fernandez Center also represents the future of liberal arts learning. The building invites innovation with active learning classrooms, an idea lab to foster inspiration, and more, while serving as a green building with a living greenery café wall and roof, and state-of-the-art efficient lighting, air purification, stormwater management, and water conservation features in place.

At Loyola, learning has always taken place beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom. Professors are known for holding class outside in nice weather, and the Kelly Family Outdoor Classroom, which debuted in fall 2021, offers a special place to do just that.

Another spot where students can often be found reading, studying, napping, catching up with friends, and sipping coffee (hot and iced, depending on the season) by the Quad is the giant wraparound porch of the Humanities building, arguably the most well-known porch this side of the Mississippi. It’s the most Instagrammed porch, as far as we know. It’s an inviting feature of the historic Tudor-style mansion, which became the first campus building when Loyola moved its college campus from downtown Baltimore to what is known as the main campus, called Evergreen, in 1921.

Loyola’s Alumni Memorial Chapel, built in memory of alumni who served and died in World Wars I and II, is a spiritual center for all faith traditions and a gathering place for all community members. The Gothic-influenced architecture and stained glass not only provide a beautiful space for worship and reflection, but also a popular wedding spot for alumni couples and a time-honored setting for Loyola’s cherished Lessons and Carols, Alumni Vow Renewal, Mass of the Holy Spirit (which begins the academic year each year), ROTC Commissioning Ceremony every May, and other annual University meetings and speaking events.

Greyhounds have options whenever they’d like to grab the beverage of choice for college: coffee. Whether it’s Starbucks or local brew favorite Zeke’s, students, faculty, and campus visitors alike can find a caffeine fix at the Starbucks Café in Andrew White Student Center or the Green & Grey Café in the Fernandez Center, respectively, among many other options for grab-and-go joe throughout academic buildings and residence halls.

Loyola offers the friendliest pedestrian bridge, which is often abuzz with students rushing to and from classes, club meetings, and campus events—always while waving, smiling, saying hello in passing, and calling out to friends. The overpass, located over North Charles Street, connects the west side with the center of Evergreen, fostering a mainly pedestrian campus. 

Loyola has some of the best residence halls in the country. With dorms chock-full of amenities and recreation/study spaces, Greyhounds can easily feel at home, work on their latest term paper, and relax with friends. More than 80% of students live in Loyola’s housing through their senior year. And it’s no wonder: Our students see living on campus as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and often cite their campus experience as one of the many reasons to love Loyola.

Loyola’s residence halls were ranked in the top 20 Best College Dorms by Princeton Review for more than a decade—and made the Best College Dorms in America list by Niche.

You can feel the passion, energy, and spirit of our community—and especially our students—the minute you step foot on our campus. They say the greyhound has the largest heart of any dog. No matter the time of day or year, you’ll find Loyola Greyhounds cheering on our DI teams at any of our nationally ranked athletic facilities; getting in the competitive spirit or just working up a sweat at the Fitness & Aquatic Center in group fitness classes, the beautiful 14-lane swimming pool, or the 30-foot rock wall; advocating for social justice and serving throughout Baltimore with the Center for Community, Service, and Justice; engaging in debate and becoming amaster of their craft in their classes; championing causes through clubs and extracurriculars; or simply doing what they love and loving what they do here.

Location is everything, and Loyola’s Evergreen campus is no exception. Known as Charm City, Baltimore provides the ideal backdrop to the Loyola experience, offering activities, arts and culture, incredible food, music and professional sports, internships and professional networking opportunities, and proximity to other cities to explore, like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York. With 13 universities and 160,000 college students, Baltimore is truly a vibrant college town—and Greyhounds enjoy all the city has to offer. More of a nature lover? Baltimore has that, too—including a surprising amount of access to nearby parks and green spaces right next-door to Loyola’s campus.

Can’t get enough of Loyola’s campus or interested in experiencing it for yourself? Check out our photo gallery, go on a virtual tour, or plan a visit. We can’t wait to welcome you to Evergreen.