Do you dream of wandering through grand, castle-like halls, sipping butterbeer in cozy common rooms, and maybe even encountering a friendly ghost or two?
If so, you’re probably a Harry Potter fan longing for your very own Hogwarts experience.
The good news is, you can have that Harry feel in some instances.
Some colleges and universities right here in the real world look like they were plucked straight out of the Harry Potter series.
Let’s explore some colleges that look like Hogwarts and will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a page of J.K. Rowling’s magical world:
Best Colleges That Look Like Hogwarts
Being a Harry Potter fan, here are some colleges that look like Hogwarts:
1. Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It is known for its beautiful Gothic architecture, which makes the campus look like a scene from a fairy tale.
The college has several historic buildings, like the magnificent Thomas Great Hall and the cloistered Pembroke Arch.
The campus is adorned with stone buildings, tall towers, and charming courtyards. Bryn Mawr is an all-woman’s college renowned for its strong academic programs and supportive community.
2. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is in Chicago, Illinois. Its campus is famous for its stunning Gothic-style buildings.
Key structures include the Harper Memorial Library, with its grand reading room and vaulted ceilings, and the Rockefeller Chapel, which has intricate stained-glass windows and a towering spire.
The main quad is surrounded by ivy-covered stone buildings, creating a scholarly and magical atmosphere.
3. University of Notre Dame
Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame is among the famous colleges that look like Hogwarts.
The Golden Dome, topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, is a landmark that can be seen from miles away. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, with its stunning interior and stained-glass windows, adds to the campus’s grandeur.
The various residence halls and academic buildings feature detailed stonework, tall spires, and picturesque courtyards.
4. Yale University
Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, has a campus that looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy novel.
The university’s Gothic architecture includes impressive structures such as the Sterling Memorial Library, with its cathedral-like interior, and Harkness Tower, which is over 200 feet tall.
The residential colleges, with their grand dining halls and beautiful courtyards, further enhance the Hogwarts-like feel.
Yale is a world-renowned university known for its outstanding faculty, diverse student body, and rich history.
5. Cornell University
Cornell University is situated in Ithaca, New York. The campus combines Gothic and Collegiate Gothic architecture with stunning natural surroundings.
Key buildings like the Uris Library, with its A.D. White Reading Room resembling a grand medieval hall, and the iconic McGraw Tower give the campus a magical feel.
The university’s location on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake adds to its scenic beauty.
6. Durham University
Durham University, located in Durham, England, is one of the oldest universities in the UK.
Its campus is set around the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The castle serves as a residence for students, making it feel very much like living in a Hogwarts house.
The historic buildings and cobblestone streets of Durham City contribute to the enchanting atmosphere.
7. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, England, is renowned for its historic and beautiful campus.
The university’s colleges, such as King’s College with its famous chapel, and Trinity College with its Great Court, feature stunning Gothic architecture.
The River Cam, which flows through the campus, adds to the picturesque setting.
By the way, do you have any idea about the University of Cambridge acceptance rate?
High Schools That Look Like Hogwarts
Here are the top high schools that resemble so much to Hogwarts:
8. Harvard University
Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has a mix of Georgian architecture that gives parts of the campus a magical feel.
Notable buildings include the Memorial Hall, with its stunning tower and stained-glass windows, and the Widener Library, which has a grand and historic interior.
The ivy-covered walls and beautiful courtyards add to the charm.
Harvard is the oldest university in the United States and is famous for its academic brilliance and influential alumni.
9. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, in Edinburgh, Scotland, has a campus with many historic and Gothic-style buildings.
The Old College, with its grand dome and elegant quadrangle, and the McEwan Hall, with its elaborate interior, are particularly striking.
The city of Edinburgh itself, with its medieval Old Town and Edinburgh Castle, enhances the magical atmosphere.
10. Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke is one of the colleges that look like Hogwarts and is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Its campus features beautiful Collegiate Gothic architecture. Key buildings include the Mary Lyon Hall, with its impressive tower, and the Abbey Chapel, which has stunning stained-glass windows.
The lush, green campus with its serene lake adds to the enchanting atmosphere.
11. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College, in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, has a picturesque campus with a mix of Gothic and other architectural styles.
The Parrish Hall, with its grand facade, and the Clothier Hall, with its tower and beautiful courtyard, stand out.
The campus is also known for its lovely gardens and wooded areas, creating a peaceful and magical environment.
12. Avon Old Farms School
Avon Old Farms School is a private boarding school in Avon, Connecticut.
Its campus features striking Gothic and Tudor-style buildings designed by Theodate Pope Riddle. The school’s architecture includes impressive stone buildings, tall towers, and beautiful archways.
The picturesque setting, with its rolling hills and well-manicured grounds, adds to the magical feel.
Wind Up
Who knew you could find a touch of magic in the real world?
These colleges and universities offer not just great education but also look like Hogwarts.
