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Discover the Top College Logos and Team Symbols to See What Makes Them Truly Great
Many colleges in the US have dedicated teams for different sports, such as football and basketball. These teams often sport a custom team logo featuring their mascot alongside their collegiate logos on their jerseys, as a way of getting recognized quicker. That is because many logos for colleges are too intricate to identify at a distance, unlike a mascot logo which is easier to make out.
When you look at these symbols designed by professional logo design services with a keen eye for detail, you might believe them to be great pieces of art. However, these logos also act as an effective marketing tool to promote the institution it represents.
A college can employ various versions of the same logo that promotes the academy’s attitude, academic rigor, and team spirit.
Let’s take a look at the best college logos and the elements that make them recognizable.
College Logos Versus University Seals – How Are the Two Institution Types Different?
In the United States, many people often confuse the terms college and university to mean the same thing. And while both are higher education institutions, there is a fundamental difference between the scope of these two types of varsities.
Colleges generally offer courses at the undergraduate level, as well as associate degrees, and even professional certifications designed to make people employable quickly. Universities, on the other hand, offer their students the option to study up until the doctorate, or any other terminal degree. This difference means that that universities also offer an upgraded academic and research experience than your average college.
This is the reason that many top colleges in the US, such as Dartmouth, as associated with full-fledged universities like Yale to ensure that their students experience a higher quality of academic environment.
Great College Logos Representing Baseball Teams
Many colleges have baseball teams that take part in various championships and demonstrate their talent. They also opt for logos to make their respective teams stand out.
College sports logos are fun and showcase the strength, enthusiasm, and courage of a sports team. We have compiled a list of baseball teams with attention-grabbing logo designs.
Berry College Vikings
Did you know Berry College is widely known as the Southern Athletic Association’s founding member, Division III of the NCAA? You can find the home of the Berry College Vikings baseball team in Northwest Georgia.
It’s one of the best logos with a stunning color scheme. The use of blue and silver colors conveys that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It is also a great logo design that also features the team name.
University of San Diego Toreros
The university has a baseball team, San Diego Toreros. The Toreros isn’t your average baseball team, as it has won several championships.
When it comes to the team’s logo design, it features stunning shades of blue. It makes the best of college logos that feature a delicately made image. The overall design is subtle and recognizable.
California State University, Fullerton Titans
The university’s baseball team has participated in various national championships programs and has won most of them. Its logo is colorful and features hues such as white, navy, and orange.
On the other hand, the elements such as the side profile of an elephant’s head, the sun in the background, and the stunning baseball font make it one of the most appealing college logos.
Wichita State University Shockers
Are you afraid to choose unique color combinations for your logo? Take Wichita Shocker’s Baseball team logo, for example. Its logo features an eye-pleasing mix of black and gold. These colors stand out and grab the attention instantly.
The aggressive mascot is another element that draws attention to the logo. If you look closely, you will see the letter “W” written in the mascot’s cap representing Wichita State University.
University at Albany Great Danes
The baseball team of the University at Albany has an attractive logo design. The university uses it for every sports program.
To develop a unique logo, they opted for school colors for the color scheme of this college logo. The colors purple and gold with a simplistic design make the logo recognizable.
Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders
Lindsey Wilson College has a baseball team, Blue Raiders, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The team has attended Mid-South Conference.
Blue Raiders symbol is one of the college logos that use a subtle combination of blue and white colors. The color scheme was selected to convey the message of elegance and aggression.
Georgetown University Bulldogs
The university has a baseball team, Georgetown Hoyas Baseball. It is a part of the Big East Conference associated with NCAA’s Division I level of college-level baseball.
It was the first sport introduced to Georgetown, with the first game played in 1866. The team decided to personify the bulldog and use it as its mascot, which is unique and easy to recognize.
Scottsdale Community College Artichokes
The logo of Scottsdale has an exciting story associated with it. In the 1970s, the school administration accused bribing athletes to visit the college using scholarship money.
They organized a school-wide protest and voted to change the mascot to something different. As a result, the school got the “Artie The Fighting Artichoke” logo, making it one of the cool college logos
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rams
The University of North Carolina baseball team has an interesting logo. The color scheme of blue and white is simplistic and complements the overall design.
The color combination with elements such as typography makes it an eye-pleasing logo and unique from the rest of the institute logos. You’ll find the letters “N” and “C” in the background by looking closely.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins
The simplistic logo of UCLA Bruins, the University of California’s baseball team, features a pleasant blue shade and gold colors. The group is known for its colors, making its logo one of the perfect college logos.
The UCLA Bruins logo also makes the best example of a simplistic logo. And it shows that you don’t need a complex design with details to design a memorable college logo.
College Basketball Logos Representing Teams That Lay It All Out on the Ball Court
When finding inspiration for your next logo, it’s best to conduct extensive research on these symbols. In the research phase, you can also consider college team logos.
Following logos belong to various colleges’ basketball teams that you can consider incorporating unique elements to your logo design.
Huntington University Foresters
The Foresters of Huntington University has a fantastic lumberjack logo. It is a stunning combination of various elements.
For example, you can see the school’s fantastic color palette, such as forest green and black, uncommon in other college logos. It also features a chopping ax that incorporates additional uniqueness to the logo.
Rutgers University Scarlet Knights
Another great logo on the list is New Jersey’s Rutgers Scarlet Knight; it belongs to Rutgers University. The logo makes the best use of the bold scarlet color. It also features a knight mascot aligning with the name of the sports team.
On the other hand, this logo also perfectly exemplifies using a mascot with unusual colors and developing one of the best college logos for a sports team.
University of Florida Gators
The Florida Gators logo features the fierce alligator, which is also the state’s official reptile. You can think and incorporate exciting elements into your logo and make it a unique and memorable design.
Apart from the elements, the color scheme of this college logo is also pleasant. The color combo of orange and green on the alligator’s face and blue outline make it stand out.
Saint Mary’s College Belles
Saint Mary’s College is a private Catholic liberal arts college founded by the Holy Cross’s Sisters in 1844. The college participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
The college’s basketball team was nicknamed “The Belles.” The logo of “The Belles” is one of the clever but straightforward college logos at the same time. If you look closely, it features the curvy shape of a young woman, ala belle, and basketball’s surface outline.
Temple University Owls
Temple University has a men’s basketball team. The team won National Invitation Tournament (NIT). You can also see the strength of the victories in its logo.
The fierce owl grabs the attention successfully, whereas the color-scheme cherry, black, and white complete the overall design.
Cazenovia College Wildcats
When you look for college basketball logos, consider the logo design of the Cazenovia Wildcats. The college has sports teams for men and women. The college is also a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC).
Its logo is creative and appealing. The designer chose the colors blue and gold to develop a 3D-style wildcat. It also goes well with the name of the college and is recognizable.
Union College Bulldogs
The students of the Union College voted Bulldog as the college’s official nickname. A bulldog was also purchased to support the team’s official nickname.
The basketball teams were also called the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs. The dog became their mascot, was named Mack and used their logo with eye-pleasing black and orange colors.
Drury University Panthers
Drury University is home to Drury Panthers. The logo features a fierce image of a panther, with a grey and scarlet color combination.
The idea of incorporating the image of the panther was great to draw attention to the logo. Moreover, the color palette and the logo fonts used make the design unique and memorable, entering it in the list of one of the finest college logos we have seen.
Drexel University Dragons
The university has a basketball team with the name Drexel Dragons. Its logo features a realistic image of a dragon with stunning details.
The sharp edges of the dragon showcase the time, thought and effort invested while designing it. The blue and gold colors and unique font complete the fantastic design.
University of Maryland Terrapins
The basketball team of the University of Maryland is known as Maryland Terrapins. Its logo also consists of interesting elements that boost its uniqueness. You can see their Chesapeake Bay turtle logo boasting a proud smile.
The color scheme is an excellent combination of red, black, gold, and white. If you think incorporating several colors in one logo is a risk, take a look at the Terrapins logo and decide for yourself!
Cool College Logos for Varsity Football Teams Who Aspire for the NFL
Colleges also have football teams that compete with rival college teams. These teams also have stunning college logos.
From the color palette to unique design elements, college football team logos can also become your source of inspiration to design a cutting-edge logo.
University of Texas Longhorns
Taxes Longhorns is the official football team of the University of Texas. The team has won many games and is widely known among football fans. And its logo reflects the team’s football success.
If you look at the Longhorns logo, it’s simple but grabs attention instantly. The use of burnt orange color is eye-pleasing and sets the logo apart from other symbols.
Rice University Owls
Rice university’s football team logo includes an owl mascot and a union blue and Confederate gray color palette.
The owl mascot features the letter “R,” representing the university. The owl was designed with precision, and the way the owl looks directly in the eyes is fascinating.
Boise State University Broncos
It’s no secret that the Boise State Broncos, the football team of Boise State University, is well-known for blue field turf. The idea was unique and matched the team’s orange and blue logo and mascot.
The orange and blue colors make the logo appealing and recognizable. If you observe, the horse’s mascot has an aggressive expression, representing the aggression you need to claim the win.
Coincidentally, the logo gives the same kind of aggressive and powerful vibes as the Denver Broncos logo of the NFL. That means that the team managed to create one of the few truly expressive college logos for their team.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The football team of Ohio State, Ohio State Buckeyes, has a simplistic but memorable logo design. The color combination of scarlet and grey is unique but looks fascinating.
The font used in the design elevates the aesthetics of the logo as well. You can also spot the letter “O” in the background.
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh Panthers football team belongs to the University of Pittsburgh. Its logo features a panther. However, they decided to modify the torch-cut panther head with something sleek and polished.
The current logo has refined and contemporary vibes to it, which is also easy to recognize. The blue and gold colors are eye-pleasing and help in drawing attention to the logo.
Oklahoma State University Cowboys
The university’s football team, Oklahoma State Cowboys, took a traditional route while designing its logo. The letter-style logo stands out in all college logos with the colors such as black and orange.
The selected logo fonts are simple yet easy to read. The letter “O” in the background represents Oklahoma State University and puts together the design nicely.
Florida International University Panthers
The Florida International Panthers belong to the Florida International University. The logo features a stunning image of a fierce panther. In its previous design, the panther was creeping from the grass.
The newer version is simple and has more visual appeal to it. The designer opted for blue and gold that complements the overall design for the color scheme.
University of Arkansas Razorbacks
The football team, Arkansas Razorbacks, has the fascinating cardinal and white color to its logo. The mascot has an intense look, but it goes well with the football team’s name.
The students voted for the name “Arkansas Razorbacks” in 1910. And it has proven to be one of the most well-fitting college logos and names combo in the American college athletics history.
Ohio University Bobcats
Ohio Bobcats logo features a stunning mascot of a fierce cat. The Ohio green and white color also boost the visual appeal of the logo.
The football team developed its logo in 1999. There’s no denying that if college logos are relevant and attractive, you don’t need to modify them.
University of Missouri Tigers
The University of Missouri’s football team, Missouri Tigers logo, features a mascot of an aggressive tiger with black and gold colors.
As for the moniker, armed guards that protected the State of Columbia from Confederate guerrillas during the civil war in 1864 inspired the team’s name. The logo features a mascot of an aggressive tiger with black and gold colors.
Top College Logos from the Best Educational Institutions in the United States
Like college logos, many universities also have memorable and meaningful symbols. Let’s take a look at some of the best college logos from America’s top varsities, from Ivy Leagues to women colleges.
University of North Carolina
The interlocking letters “N” and “C” complete the timeless logo design. The choice of color is attention-grabbing as well.
It’s the official color of the school that was selected in the late 18th century. The interlocking letters and color make it one of the memorable university logos.
Sarah Lawrence College
Located in the area of New York, also known as Yonkers, the Sarah Lawrence College has successfully accomplished modeling their college after Oxford and Cambridge. The logo seal for the college features a coin-like design, at the middle of which is an image of Sarah Lawrence.
At the top of the image is the name of the college in bold, serif font. The year of the college’s inauguration is written on either side of the portrait, and the bottom edge of the college logo features the motto of the college “Wisdom with Understanding”.
Pomona College
Like most of the entries on this list, Pomona College is another liberal arts college, that was inaugurated in 1887. The educational facility of the college is one of the founders of the Claremont Colleges group, becoming an affiliate educational institution of the consortium.
Taking about the college’s symbol, the unique design arguably makes it the best college logo we will be discussing today. Rather than a rounded, seal-like design of most of these logos, the design is an upright oval, similar to a football design. The middle of the symbol features an iconic pillar from the college’s entrance, underneath which is the college’s inauguration date. Overall it’s a great design.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s monogram is perfect; the university uses it for athletics and academics simultaneously. According to the university’s official brand standards, the logo represents the university accurately.
It is old-school and appealing. The university’s trademarked “Fighting Irish” logo has an excellent design for such a complicated mascot. The surly Irishman has vintage and cool vibes.
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, the campus and its grounds cover an area exceeding 700 acres, located atop the Mayflower Hill. And despite being a private college, it is one of the most selective liberal arts institutes in the US.
This propensity is exactly why the college is included among the informal “little Ivy” colleges. The seal for the college features the design of white starburst against a blue background. Between the outer ring and the starburst inside, the seal features the name of the college at the top along with the year of formation. The bottom however, features the motto of the college, written in Latin.
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College is another logo that could easily be added to the best college logos in the US. The college itself is located in Pennsylvania, founded in 1864, but starting operations five years later in 1869. Despite that, the college is one of the earliest and famed educational institutions in the United States.
The logo seal for the college is quite interesting, featuring a round design, in which is a mix of scientific equipment such as a telescope, a microscope, a roll of unfurled parchment, and more. In fact, the base college logo is similarly detailed, featuring a red colored design of the college campus, with the name of the college underneath. Overall, no matter which logo design you consider, the lasting impact of their designs is undeniable.
Clemson University
The logo contains a tiger’s paw print. A real tiger was chosen to develop the logo. The impression of the paw came from the cast that was used to make the design. That’s why you see a slight indentation at the bottom of the paw print.
Clemson’s official website revealed that the tiger received the scar before it was chosen as the subject for the university’s logo. The logo has a 30-degree angle representing 1:00 p.m. which is the typical time for football games.
Hamilton College
Located in the area of Clinton, New York, Hamilton College is another private liberal arts college, founded in 1793. Originally known as the Hamilton – Oneida Academy, the name was changed just a few years later to just Hamilton College, as a way to honor the legacy of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
The seal for the institute is one of the most detailed college logos on this list. It features two angels standing in heaven, with the sun’s rays coming from above through the clouds. The upper edge of the logo features the name of the college written in Latin, and the bottom featuring the college motto, again in Latin.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth is one of the most well-known educational institutes in the US, meeting the likes of Stanford or Harvard when it comes to fame. And the reason is that Dartmouth is a private Ivy League institute that is highly sought after by both national and international students. It is the ninth oldest higher educational institute in the US, and was the last to be chartered before the start of the civil war.
One of the more attractive college logos on this list, the design is done in the shape of a shield. The image in the middle shows a pair of students walking the grounds studying, in front of the campus building, while the rays of light from the sun, designed to mimic a book, shine upon them. Underneath the image is the date of the college’s inauguration, with the wordmark for the college at the top of the shield and the motto curving around the sides and the bottom.
University of Miami
A simplistic logo can be brilliant. Don’t believe it? Take a look at the University of Miami’s logo. It features the letter “U.”
Moreover, the elements such as the split “U” and color combo of orange and green make the logo memorable. The logo is ideal for those who are looking for inspiration for minimalistic logo design.
Grinnell College
Named after its hometown, Grinnell College is located in the town of Grinnell, Iowa. Founded in 1846, the college has an interesting history, starting before the civil war, and playing well through the civil rights movement. The college has the fifth-highest endowment to student ratio, and also feature a needs-blind admission policy.
When it comes to the logo, the university keeps it simple, in fact one of the simplest college logos we have ever seen on an institute this old. According to the varsity itself, the seal is meant as a stamp of quality, with the four laurel-leave design symbolizing their history and legacy. At the top of the design is the year of the university’s formation, and surrounding it all is the name of the university and its mode of education, the latter at the top while the former at the bottom.
Vassar College
Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York, and was formed by Matthew Vassar. A coeducational liberal arts college, it was the second higher education institute in the United States to accept women as students. It is also one the Seven Sisters Colleges, and has a close association with Yale University.
The logo seal features a round design, colored a dark red against a white background. The middle of the design features a Greek woman holding a book and a branch, set against the building that looks Greek in design. The design is done in white over red, and surrounding it is a white band with red letterings spelling the name of the college in clean typography at the top, and the year of formation at the bottom.
Hofstra University
A pair of lions was decided and designed for the university’s athletic department. You can see that the male and female lions are heading in the same direction. Their furrowed brows, windswept manes give the vibes of determination and strength.
According to Hofstra Athletics Visual Identity, “The pride conveys both the teamwork and togetherness that are traits of lions living in a pride, that have a close bond and work together for the good of the entire group.”
Wellesley College
Wellesley College is one of the many women colleges spread across the US. However, it is also one of the Seven Sisters Colleges group, elevating it above many of those other women colleges. While the wordmark for the logo features a Greek-style wordmark with a large “W” beneath it, the seal is one of the best college logos featuring an old school, European style with Latin inspiration.
The center of the logo features the shield of the college, calling to its exclusive and regal status among women colleges. Surrounding it is the name of the college, written in all Latin. Overall, this can be said to one of the top college logos in the US.
Princeton University
The use of black and orange colors is a wise idea in Princeton’s logo. The university promotes its message through the logo smartly.
If you observe, the logo features a phrase. It’s written in Latin and translates to “under God’s power she flourishes.”
Do Mascots in College Logos Make for a Smart and Effective Design Choice?
Mascots are a great way to create a brand out of your college’s sports team. Adding a mascot to your college logos and names does a lot to create a sense of relatability for the audience, making it easier to create a loyal fan following.
Let’s say there’s a college called Berkovitz Community College, which has a football team. Now, they need to come up with a name and logo for that team. Which one would you think would be a better choice, in terms of marketing?
- The Berkovitz Bisons
- The Berkovitz Community College Football Team
Of course, the first one is the more attractive option. It’s easy to remember, and if marketed the right way, the logo and related merchandise could be used to create a sense of community behind the team, as well as the college.
Horned and shaggy headdresses, a charging bison’s image printed on t-shirts and hoodies, and the snort of a bull as a rallying call, all of this can be used to build your team a powerful and successful brand. And it would all be possible by adding a mascot to your college logo’s design.
Frequently Asked Questions
| 1. What is a college logo? A logo may appear as a stunning piece of art. But, a logo serves as the marketing tool to promote any college or university. The authority also uses the symbol to showcase the institute’s spirit, message, and academic capability. |
| 2. What are the 3 best college logos for sports teams? The top three college logos for sports team include: – Arkansas Razorbacks – Boise State Broncos – Texas Longhorns |
| 3. Is it illegal to use a college logo? In some cases, every university or college has the trademarked and copyrighted logo, name, or even color scheme. Using the material without written permission or license can move the owner to legal action against you. |
| 4. Can I sell a college logo? Colleges and universities sell licenses to anyone who wishes to sell products or goods containing the institute’s mascot, slogan, or logo. You need to work with an intellectual property attorney to purchase the logo or other college or school material. |
| 5. Which NCAA college logos are the best? Some of best NCAA college logos include, but are not limited to: – Belmont Bruins – Binghamton Bearcats – Boise State Broncos – Central Connecticut Blue Devils – Creighton Bluejays |
| 6. Do Ivy League college logos have a mascot in their design? No. Ivy League colleges do not have mascots within their designs. However, the logos for their sports teams often sport their mascot, such as the Princeton Tiger for Princeton University. |
Conclusion
College logos can become a great source of inspiration when developing a unique yet functional logo. You can also learn a lot from famous university or college symbols.
If you look at each logo design element, you might find something that resonates with your audience. From colors to mascots, these logos make the perfect example of memorable and recognizable symbols.
However, when we talk about custom designs, especially for items like logos, there’s always a chance that someone might try to use it to their advantage. Logo owners can take legal action if someone tries to use their design without permission. However, businesses need to learn how to copyright a logo to prevent it from getting pirated.
Getting a cutting-edge logo isn’t a hassle anymore. Being a reliable graphic design company, we develop beautiful and professional logos. Schedule an appointment with us and get the best logo design for your brand or company.
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