The Top 10 Best Movie Colleges
August means a new semester is gearing up to start, and that got me thinking about some of the craziest and coolest movie colleges I’ve seen over the years. Not necessarily college movies, but the learning institutions themselves. Pretty soon, I was debating which of them I’d apply to if I ever decided to go back to college. Of course, the film fanatic in me was enthralled just to be thinking about movies in general, but I actually used to work in admissions at a college as well, which means I have a bit of insight when it comes to the dark and gritty underworld of higher education… Just kidding, I pretty much just know what matriculation means. Still, I figured with my experience, I was just the geek to put together a list of the best movie colleges of all time (yes, this will include universities too). This list will feature mostly fictional schools to keep things interesting and will be strictly colleges (movie high schools already had their time to shine). So, if you’re still searching for a fun (and fictional) “safety school,” this list of movie colleges will be just the thing you’re looking for.
10. Harrison University- Old School
The dumbest thing you can do when you’re young is to wish to be an adult. Seriously, don’t do it, kid, because after college it all goes downhill. So, it makes sense when “The Godfather” (Luke Wilson) “The Tank” (Will Ferrall), and “Beanie” (Vince Vaughn) decide to run screaming back towards college life to escape middle-age. The school they invade is Harrison University in upstate New York. Like so many other movie colleges out there, it was designed to incubate the growth of various fraternities and sororities so they can cause all sorts of drama and mayhem on campus: specifically, a loophole that allows the new Lambda Epsilon Omega fraternity that the trio founded a chance to survive a vindictive dean by completing various activities to prove their legitimacy. Because of all the crazy stuff on campus, I thought Harrison might be the perfect safety school to kick off this list.
9. Medfield College- Disney Movies
Despite the fact that you probably haven’t heard of Medfield or the small town of Medfield that it resides in, eight Disney movies have taken place there. From Flubber to The Absent-Minded Professor to The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Medfield could have qualified for this list just based on the number of times it’s popped up in movies alone. However, all these films also point to the fair assumption that Medfield College has a cutting-edge (if not a little insane) science program. The professors there come up with all sorts of crazy discoveries that defy the laws of nature and spit in the face of God. Luckily, none of the experiments have proven to be life-threatening, which is a huge relief since there are lots of other movie colleges where the science department messes in God’s domain in a bad way…
8. Bayfield University- Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U
There are a few pros and cons when it comes to Bayfield University. Pro: You might get a chance to meet final girl extraordinaire “Tree” Gelbman! Con: You might also meet the killer after her. Pro: The science department is full of geniuses. Con: They fractured time and space creating an alternate reality. So, what was it that made me decide to put Bayfield University on this list of movie colleges? Their mascot. You see, Bayfield University is home to, what I’m only assuming must be, the fighting babies! See, the killer in the Happy Death Day films wears a mask featuring the school mascot and it’s a baby. Low and behold, there’s plenty of merch around campus featuring a baby on it and I think that’s simply incredible. Just imagine the incredible rush that must come with being a “Fighting Baby” alum and getting a chance to shout things like “Those Bulldogs are going to get cradled” or “Time to put those Fighting Irish down for a nap” at sporting events.
7. Coolidge College- National Lampoon’s Van Wilder
Interesting bit of trivia: Van Wilder was inspired by the college career of comedian Bert Kreischer, which means Coolidge College could be based on his alma mater, The University of Florida. So, why not go to UF? Because, as far as I know, UF doesn’t offer Ryan Reynolds as a party liaison. Sure, a lot of movie colleges have party animals in attendance, but Van Wilder uses his gift of partying for the force of good. He organizes fundraisers to raise money for intramural and extracurricular activities, charitable causes, and just to help some students make a few bucks so they can eat something other than instant ramen next month. While the Dean might not like it, Van represents the sense of unity and support at the core of student life at Coolidge College. Besides, if Tara Reid can get accepted there, I’ve got nothing to worry about.
6. Faber College- National Lampoon’s Animal House
No one does movie colleges quite like National Lampoon. When I stared at this list of movie colleges, I was initially thinking about just college movies in general and, of course, Animal House sprang to mind. Because of that, I had to find a way to include Faber. Now, you might argue that Faber is just a school filled with party animals and smug frats that look down on everyone else, and that’s kind of true. However, it’s also the kind of place with a very active social scene, which is totally an important aspect of learning to become a functioning adult. That argument might seem pretty weak, but no one can say that their graduates don’t go on to great things. It was revealed in 2003 that a number of the students went on to become district attorneys, doctors, senators, and even President of the United State (According to the Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update released in 2003). Clearly, a degree from Faber College carries some weight.