This Alabama university was named one of the most beautiful in the country

(c/o WikiMedia Commons)
(c/o WikiMedia Commons)

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo earned a spot on Thrillist’s compilation of top 20 most beautiful public college campuses in America. In making the list, UM beat out several other top contenders from the Yellowhammer State such as The University of Alabama and Auburn University.

Thrillist is a travel website owned and operated by the Thrillist Media Group. It releases a top 20 list of most beautiful American college campuses every year.

Montevallo’s classic architectural style played a critical role in making the top 20. “The campus is awash in classic Southern architecture like Reynolds and Palmer Halls, antebellum structures one wouldn’t expect in such a remote locale,” the website reads.

Thrillist noted that the highlight of UM’s campus is Ebenezer Swamp, a 60-acre wetland research center where students study the ecology of the Cahaba River watershed.

Located in Montevallo, Ala. the University is the state’s only public liberal arts college, and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Since 2008, the school has also been the top public master’s level university in Alabama, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Montevallo was the only school from Alabama to make the list. Other schools Thrillist featured were The University of Florida, The University of North Carolina, The University of Virginia, The University of California (Berkeley), and The University of Hawaii.

The full breakdown can be seen on Thrillist’s website here.