13 of the most unique colleges in America

Darcy Schild,Erin McDowellSep 18, 2020, 02:23 IST

Bryn Mawr holds its own Yule Ball, a "Harry Potter"-inspired winter dance.aimintang/Getty Images

Some colleges and universities in the US offer out-of-the-ordinary academic programs for students.
Others offer unique locations, like Deep Springs College, where students work and study on a campus in the middle of the California desert.
Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania has a "Harry Potter"-like housing system for first-year students, while Bryn Mawr College holds its own annual Yule Ball.

TV shows and movies often portray college as a one-size-fits-all experience — but within the US alone, a number of universities offer specialized programs and one-of-a-kind opportunities for students, proving that college can mean something different for just about everyone.

From the free-spirited nature of Deep Springs College, which is located in the middle of the California desert, to the unique grading system of Reed College, in which letter grades practically don't exist, the nation is home to schools with a diverse range of academics and campuses.

Using insights from sources like the Princeton Review and US News' Best Colleges lists, we've rounded up 13 of the most unique colleges around the country that may not have been on your radar.

Deep Springs College is a two-year college that offers full scholarships to its class of 30 students, who live, work, and study in the middle of the desert in California.

Deep Springs College students. Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Deep Springs College is a two-year college that offers full scholarships to its class of 30 students, who live, work, and study in the middle of the desert in California.

Colby College in Waterville, Maine, has unique opportunities for students to take time off to travel or complete research abroad during its January term, called the Jan Plan.

Colby College. Popova Valeriya/Shutterstock

Colby College in Waterville, Maine, has unique opportunities for students to take time off to travel or complete research abroad during its January term, called the Jan Plan.

Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, has a 500-acre nature preserve and farm on its hilltop campus.

Kenyon College. Carlos Gonzalez/NCAA Photos/Getty Images

At Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, first-year students live in one of five "houses," similar to a "Harry Potter" or Hogwarts-style living situation.

Franklin & Marshall College. George Sheldon/Shutterstock

At Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, first-year students live in one of five "houses," similar to a "Harry Potter" or Hogwarts-style living situation.

Another college that prides itself on its Hogwarts-esque learning environment is Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

Bryn Mawr College. Zac Endter/Shutterstock

At Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, students follow the school's "one course at a time" philosophy, which means they only take one subject during each 3.5-week term.

Cornell College. Courtesy of Cornell College

At Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, students follow the school's "one course at a time" philosophy, which means they only take one subject during each 3.5-week term.

Reed College in Portland, Oregon, evaluates students on a pass- or no-pass scale, so students don't have traditional course grades.

Reed College. Png Studio Photography/Shutterstock

At Berea College in Kentucky, no student pays tuition. The work-study college offers students an up to $100,000 scholarship over four years, covering the cost of tuition.

Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Courtesy of Berea College

At Berea College in Kentucky, no student pays tuition. The work-study college offers students an up to $100,000 scholarship over four years, covering the cost of tuition.

At Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, students complete co-ops and spend up to a third of their coursework doing community service, internships, or full-time work.

Antioch Hall, the administration building at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Skip Peterson/AP

At Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, students complete co-ops and spend up to a third of their coursework doing community service, internships, or full-time work.

Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, is known for its specialized living communities and highly involved senior projects.

Bard College. nancykennedy/Getty Images

Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont, is the only college in the US that requires students to have an annual internship.

Bennington College. Barry Winiker/Getty Images

Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, funds an internship, research program, or community-based project for each student.

Earlham College. Katharine S./Yelp

Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, facilitates a unique student entrepreneurial program and focuses on undergraduate degrees in science, math, and engineering.

Harvey Mudd College. Ted Soqui/Corbis/Getty Images

Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, facilitates a unique student entrepreneurial program and focuses on undergraduate degrees in science, math, and engineering.

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13 of the most unique colleges in America

Deep Springs College is a two-year college that offers full scholarships to its class of 30 students, who live, work, and study in the middle of the desert in California.

Colby College in Waterville, Maine, has unique opportunities for students to take time off to travel or complete research abroad during its January term, called the Jan Plan.

Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, has a 500-acre nature preserve and farm on its hilltop campus.

At Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, first-year students live in one of five "houses," similar to a "Harry Potter" or Hogwarts-style living situation.

Another college that prides itself on its Hogwarts-esque learning environment is Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

At Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, students follow the school's "one course at a time" philosophy, which means they only take one subject during each 3.5-week term.

Reed College in Portland, Oregon, evaluates students on a pass- or no-pass scale, so students don't have traditional course grades.

At Berea College in Kentucky, no student pays tuition. The work-study college offers students an up to $100,000 scholarship over four years, covering the cost of tuition.

At Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, students complete co-ops and spend up to a third of their coursework doing community service, internships, or full-time work.

Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, is known for its specialized living communities and highly involved senior projects.

Bennington College in Bennington, Vermont, is the only college in the US that requires students to have an annual internship.

Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, funds an internship, research program, or community-based project for each student.

Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California, facilitates a unique student entrepreneurial program and focuses on undergraduate degrees in science, math, and engineering.