10. Adams College - Revenge of the Nerds
Back in the day, geeks were called nerds, and no school had more of them that the fictional Adams College. The Adams College computer science department is second to none, although, surprisingly, the fictional college gives more clout to the school's football team.
The Adams College scenes were shot at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
9. Eastern State University - The Program
Will the ESU Timberwolves overcome adversity to make it to the big bowl game? Come on. You've seen enough movies to know the answer to this one. A solid examination of big college athletics and fictional campus life, makes ESU stand out as the college of choice for boozing, drug-addled athletes who just need a kick in the pants from James Caan to inspire them to victory.
8. Harrison University - Old School
College would be great if it wasn't for all the classes. If it just wasn't for those evil college deans trying to spoil all the fun, colleges like Harrison University would be a lot better off. UCLA and Harvard were stand-ins for this fictional college.
7. Huxley U. - Horsefeathers
With Groucho Marx as its dean, the future at Huxley University has never looked brighter - now if they could just get their football program in order. On the bright side, however, Huxley professors are great song-and-dance men.
6. Coolidge College - Van Wilder
Coolidge College is so great Van Wilder never wants to leave - and who can blame him with Tara Ried as the ace reporter for the school newspaper? Addressing the serious issue of how to pay for college in a world devoid of student loans, Van Wilder goes from one gross-out gag to the next.
5. South Harmon Institute of Technology - Accepted
While most fictional colleges on this list are supposed to be real - here's a fictional college that's fake even within the movie. The 'real' college in Accepted is the fictional Harmon College. Confused, yet? No? Hmm... you must be a college graduate.
4. Barnett College - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Quite possibly possessing the best archeology program in the country, the only issue at Barnett College is absenteeism - not by the students but by the professors. How Indiana Jones crams all of his adventures in between terms is amazing in and of itself.
3. South Central Louisiana State University - The Waterboy
A perennial loser to the also fictional University of Louisiana Cougars, the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs turned their fortunes around with the help of Adam Sandler stretching his acting muscles by playing a guy with anger management issues.
The fictional university's home field is actually Spec Martin Memorial Stadiium, home of the DeLand High School football team. Classroom scenes were filmed at Stetson University.
2. Grand Lakes University - Back to School
Superb academics combined with an outstanding diving program make Grand Lakes University the first choice for fictional students trying to go to college on a diving scholarship. With Sally Kellerman teaching English, Sam Kinison teaching history, and Ned Beatty, as Dean Martin, leading the school, Grand Lakes University is a great place to "straighten out your Longfellow." Be sure to check out the new Mellon School of Business - I hear it's excellent.
1. Faber College - Animal House
With its strong ROTC program, active fraternity life and reputation for academic excellence any fictional character would be proud to have a Faber College diploma hanging on the wall - right next to neon beer sign. A much-needed renovation to the school's cafeteria propels this fictional college into the top spot above fictional college arch-rival Grand Lakes University.
The Faber College motto, "Knowledge is Good," is a fitting testament to this fine fictional college that counts among its distinguished graduates the late Senator John Blutarsky.
If you are interested in applying to any of these fictional colleges just make sure you have your fake SAT scores and falsified high school transcripts standing by.
Published by Will Wright
I'm a film industry veteran with over a hundred professional credits. View profile
Ben Folds Songs: Top 30Whether you're a crazed Ben Folds fan, a passive enjoyer of his more popular tunes, or an eager poser trying to impress your Ben Folds fanatic boyfriend/girlfriend, have a look...- Housing Prices in America's Top Town: Moorestown, New JerseyIn August, 2005, Money Magazine designated Moorestown, NJ as the Top Town in which to live. While the township is quite charming indeed, it's worth taking a look at housing prices (and those hidden extras) to see if i...
- Top Stitching Tips and TechniquesIs top stitching a problem for you? It is for many people that sew. Here's a few tips to help you improve your top stitching appearance.
- The Funniest Movies of All Time: Top 20 Gut BustersThe top 20 comedies of all time, including a brief summary and a famous quote left behind from each film. Compiled from an original list of 80, sure to spark debate or enthusiastic agreement.
- Fantasy Football 2006 - Top 10 QuarterbacksDrafting a quarterback is an important element of a winning fantasy football team. You should always draft a stud running back with your first pick, but you definitely want a good QB after that. Here are the top choic...
- The Top 5 Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Horse Riders Get Scouted by Colleges and Universities at the College Bound Invitat...
- Pokerstars: One of the Top Poker Room's on the Net
- Top 10 Reasons to Telecommute
- The Philospher Kings - Top Ten Philosphers of All Time
- Divorce Court Top Ten
- The Top Hockey Movies of All-Time
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison was used to film Back to School.
- Revenge of the Nerds used the University of Arizona Tuscon campus for filming.
- Will Ferrell supposedly has no plans to do an Old School sequel.





28 Comments
Post a CommentThis was a great article, but I thought you were going to be writing about colleges in books, not movies.
You forgot Miskatonic University, where madness lurks in books and lively horrors lurk...
Great article. If the purpose of a college is to facilitate learning rather than to propagandize, most of the so called colleges in the US would make a list of fictional colleges
My mistake, I meant to say he taught at Faber. But I do like Huxley. With Groucho heading the school, who could miss.
Yay, Faber! My stepbrother taught at Huxley. Never met him. I see him whenever I watch the movie. He's in the scene in the student senate/greek council/whatever where the Animal House guys stalk out singing. He's the balding guy in a dark suit at the table up front.
Hahaha...I've only heard of a few of these, since I"m so young, but in the world of fiction creativity can be found in any genre! Great work, I enjoyed reading this!
Very funny! I love Bsck to School so I was glad to see that Grand Lakes made the list!
Accepted was some well written comedy. Good article.
Find one of mine to dissect.
I can't believe you missed Miskatonic University.
How about Port Chester University from PCU? Great list!