The Greenest Colleges in the U.S.

As the effects of climate change become more devastating, institutions across diverse sectors are seeking to implement environmentally friendly strategies while still growing their enterprises. Colleges and universities are no exception.

In this guide, you can read about some of the best colleges for sustainability in the U.S. according to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Read on to learn about emerging green initiatives and how students can help their schools be more sustainable.

Environmentally friendly universities enact policies and programs that promote a healthy campus lifestyle and reduce dependence on limited natural and human resources.

Under the STARS system, which aligns with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, schools measure and voluntarily report their performances. About 360 colleges and universities currently hold a valid STARS rating.

Universities earn credits based on five criteria:

To achieve the highest platinum rating, a school must earn at least 85 points.

Universities interested in creating a more sustainable environment on campus can offer environmental education as a professional development option for staff and faculty or take steps toward offsetting their carbon dioxide emissions through campus operations. Schools can additionally support carbon savings elsewhere in the world.

The higher education nonprofit Second Nature reports that just 14 U.S. schools have reached total carbon neutrality as of 2024, though many more are projected to achieve this goal within the next decade.

In addition to changing how you eat and spend money, you can help your school become more environmentally friendly by engaging with your community and joining campus groups.

Student government also provides a powerful forum for proposing community outreach events and shaping institutional policy related to areas like recycling, energy consumption, and ethical food sourcing.

Students may also incorporate environmental activism into their education by pursuing a geography and sustainability major or minor. Options may include sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and marine conservation.

By attending an environmentally friendly university, you may benefit from energy-efficient dorms and healthier dining options that accommodate a variety of food restrictions and preferences. You can also enjoy more transportation options, such as campus shuttles, well-maintained bike paths, and ride-share programs.

Because their main objective is education, the greenest universities also focus on developing academic programs that center on sustainability, such as urban planning and environmental science.

Many schools also integrate aspects of environmentalism into seemingly unrelated fields of study. A popular example is the online MBA in sustainability, which teaches students to consider social responsibility and sustainable practices when coordinating business operations.