Sping Hill — Spring Hill College’s gove of oaks (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

Spring Hill College and Tuskegee University are two of the most beautiful campuses in the South, according to Southern Living.

The two private institutions of higher education were the only ones from the state of Alabama to make the popular magazine’s list of 45 schools.

Read on to see why they were chosen.

Spring Hill College tops Southern Living’s list

Alabama’s oldest college, Spring Hill College topped Southern Living’s list, beating out several neighboring colleges, big and small, in the top 10, including Arkansas’s Hendrix College, University of Georgia and Flagler College in Florida.

What stood out about Spring Hill? Here is Southern Living’s brief description why Spring Hill was named the best:

“The Avenue of the Oaks is one of the first things to draw prospective students here, and it’s also one of the last memories they’ll take with them when they go. Each year, graduates sit among towering trees and rows of pink azaleas, as they face a commencement stage in front of Stewartfield, a white Greek Revival home. During students’ tenures at this liberal arts school—the Southeast’s oldest Catholic college—they hang out at Rydex Commons, a circular green space facing the library and the exquisite St. Joseph Chapel. You can experience the natural splendor of a South Alabama landscape all over campus.”

Tuskegee University ranked 11th on list

Rich in history, Tuskegee University was home to Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. The college is also a unit of the National Park Service, having been designated a National Historic site in 1974.

Here is what Southern Living had to say about this special place, which recently was paid a visit by one of its most famous alums: Lionel Richie.

“This Historically Black College was the first to be registered as a National Historic Landmark, and its beauty matches its historic significance. Each beautiful building is steeped in rich history, adding to their appeal, and the rural locale promises sweeping greenery. In addition to its history and beauty, Tuskegee is known for its admirable alumni network including the majority of African-American aerospace engineers and veterinarians.”