The Princeton Review Names The University Of San Diego Most Beautiful Campus In The Nation

Campus Also Recognized As One Of 24 Schools On The Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll

SAN DIEGO — The Princeton Review, “The Best 382 Colleges,” 2018 edition names the University of San Diego the nation’s Most Beautiful Campus. In addition, The Princeton Review’s 26^th annual survey of 137,000 students across the country recognizes USD as one of 24 colleges or universities on their Green Honor Roll.

In 1949, USD co-founder, Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, superior vicar of the Society of the Sacred Heart, told her fellow RSCJ Sisters there are three things that are significant in education: beauty, goodness and truth. 

“Beauty will attract them; goodness will lead them; but the truth will hold them,” she said.  For Mother Hill, the search for truth was the end goal or purpose of the university.

“Today, nearly 68-years later, Mother Hill’s vision continues to guide our campus community,” said USD President James T. Harris III, DEd. “When I arrived here in 2015, I was astounded by the beauty of our 180-acre campus. Every building including residence halls, academic facilities, parking structures, theaters, dining halls and gymnasiums feature this remarkable and timeless Spanish Renaissance architecture, and truly spectacular gardens,” said Harris. “As you walk around the campus, you will find students engaging together while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. It is a very special place.”

 In addition to being named the Most Beautiful Campus, The Princeton Review also recognized USD in other categories including:

• The Best 382 Colleges
• Best Western
• Green Colleges
• Best Campus Food, #18
• Little Race / Class Interaction, #18
• Most Popular Study Abroad Program #13

“USD is very proud to be recognized by our students, alumni and friends for our efforts to provide a thriving learning environment in a beautiful setting, and for our ongoing sustainability efforts,” said Harris. “Together with our community, we will continue to make progress across the campus.”

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.