From ocean-side dorms to on-campus botanical gardens, organic farms to Victorian-Gothic architecture, here's proof that when it comes to colleges, looks do matter. The Princeton Review's survey of 120,000 college students for the Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition revealed the top ten schools offering students some of the most aesthetically spectacular environs for higher learning--not to mention equally stellar academics.

A "beautiful campus, quirky traditions, [and] really friendly people" are just some of the reasons students sing the praises of their alma mater, Sweet Briar College. The college's campus "is beautiful and quickly feels like home rather than a school." The dorms "are gorgeous as well." The well-rounded students at this Southern women's college enjoy doing it all: "If you want to be in three clubs, have great professors, [attend] horse shows every weekend, be on student council, and do it all while working your butt off in your classes, this is the place for you."

Students who considered Sweet Briar College also looked at the College of William and Mary, Mount Holyoke College, Agnes Scott College, and Randolph College.

Students at Princeton know they've got a good thing going. They say the school's "amazing resources, world-class professors," and "beautiful architecture" make it a plum choice for students seeking a well-rounded college experience. From gargoyles perched on various campus buildings to a faculty room modeled after the British House of Commons, Princeton is the epitome of old-world learning in historically inspired splendor.

Students who considered Princeton University also looked at Harvard College, Stanford University, Yale University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Pepperdine is located in Malibu, which students describe as "a wonderful place to take a vacation, or to live if you're really rich." It's not a typical college setting, although it's not without its assets. One student writes, "Even though it's a pain to drive into LA all the time, it's nice to retreat back to Pepperdine. When visiting UCLA or USC, there is so much noise and so many people. It's refreshing to call serene Pepperdine home." Also, "It is fun seeing celebrities at Blockbuster or in their pajamas at the drugstore, and you couldn't ask for a more beautiful place to have a university," especially given the ocean view from many dorm rooms.

Students who considered Pepperdine University also looked at University of California-Santa Barbara, University of Southern California, University of San Diego, and Chapman University.

Located just 12 miles west of Boston, students say Wellesley's "close-knit atmosphere and location" make for an "unbelievably rich" college experience. The campus boasts 500 acres of woodlands, hills, and meadows, a 22-acre arboretum, ponds, miles of footpaths, fitness trails, and athletic fields bordering scenic Lake Waban. If the great outdoors isn't your thing, the buildings on campus range in architectural style from Gothic to contemporary. Wellesley also boasts a botanical garden.

Students who considered Wellesley College also looked at Mount Holyoke College, Barnard College, Brown University, and Amherst College.

According to surveyed students, Mount Holyoke is home to the "best golf course and equestrian center ever, dorms like palaces," and "classic brick buildings covered in ivy." While hometown South Hadley can be a little boring, the beauty of the natural surroundings more than make up for it. "In the fall, the colors welcome students. In the winter, the skating rink is within walking distance of many sledding hills and cross-country skiing trails. In the spring, the lakes are home to baby geese and the campus is covered in flowers." All in all, life is beautiful at Mount Holyoke.

Students who considered Mount Holyoke College also looked at Wellesley College, Smith College, Boston University, and Bryn Mawr College.

Visually imagine "a classic TV high school" (that is, a large, well-endowed, private high school) and you've got Wagner College. Students at Wagner readily admit "We're spoiled here." The school's 105-acre hilltop campus provides sweeping views of the New York Harbor. Students relish their dorm-room views of the skyline of Lower Manhattan and make frequent trips to "the greatest metropolis on Earth."

Students who considered Wagner College also looked at Drew University, Fairfield University, Fordham University, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

The students at Loyola Marymount agree: "Life at LMU is awesome!" It boasts "one of the most beautiful campuses ever, right on a bluff overlooking LA," so that you "definitely feel like you're in southern California." Life off campus offers "tons of things" to do--from "clubs, beaches, museums, [and] shopping" to anything you can think of. At LMU, every student "has the potential to expand their mind, body, and spirit" while being surrounded by a "beautiful atmosphere, encouraging professors, and plentiful resources."

Students who considered Loyola Marymount University also looked at University of California-Irvine, Santa Clara University, University of California-San Diego, and University of California-Riverside.

Fun at UC-Santa Cruz can be as simple as taking in the natural surroundings. The campus is "in the middle of the forest, and the beach is only three minutes away. It's the most awesome campus overall." The school is home to many beach fanatics who enjoy surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and swimming. As one student puts it, "What's the point in living next to the ocean if you waste it?"

Students who considered University of California-Santa Cruz also looked at University of California-Davis, University of California-Los Angeles, San Francisco State University, and University of California-San Diego.

Centrally located between the mountains and the beaches, Elon sits on a beautiful and historic 575-acre campus in the beautiful Piedmont section of North Carolina, adjacent to Burlington. Undergrads enjoy a "gorgeous," meticulously maintained campus. "Elon's groundskeeping staff has to be among the best in the nation," offers one student. "If you go outside at 6:30 AM, there is an army dedicated to lawn care!"

Students who considered Elon University also looked at James Madison University, North Carolina State University, Wake Forest University, and College of Charleston.

As one might expect based on Sewanee's moniker, this university combines the best elements of Southern living in an environment dedicated to higher learning. Sewanee's mountain-top location and sprawling campus afford students many opportunities to "do a lot of outdoor activities," such as kayaking, rock climbing, caving, hiking, and swimming. At Sewanee, "all the buildings are made from stone that comes from the same quarry," contributing to a "beautiful, peaceful" atmosphere for its lucky students.

Students who considered Sewanee also looked at University of Georgia, Washington and Lee University, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Davidson College.