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The Princeton Review's 2026 Guide to Green Colleges

The Princeton Review, a prominent name in college admissions and test prep, recently released the latest edition of its Guide to Green Colleges for 2026. This annual guide, available for free online, serves as a valuable resource for students seeking colleges that prioritize environmental responsibility. Since its inception in 2010, the guide has highlighted the growing commitment of higher education institutions towards sustainable practices.

Accessible at PrincetonReview.com/green-guide, the 2026 edition features profiles of 388 colleges, which were selected from a pool of 401 institutions surveyed. This year, the guide includes a ranking of the top 50 green colleges, showcasing schools that stand out for their eco-friendly initiatives and sustainable practices.

The selection process for these colleges involved a detailed survey completed by school administrators, which covered sustainability policies, practices, and programs. Additionally, feedback from students helped provide insights into their experiences regarding environmental efforts on campus. The survey comprised 25 questions, and the data gathered was analyzed to develop Green Ratings for each institution on a scale of 60 to 99. Colleges that achieved a Green Rating of 80 or higher were included in the guide.

For the tenth consecutive year, the College of the Atlantic, located in Brunswick, Maine, has taken the top spot. This college is notable for its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and focuses exclusively on Human Ecology degrees. Notably, it became the first college in the U.S. to achieve carbon neutrality back in 2007 and is on track to be fossil fuel-free by 2030.

Close on its heels is American University in Washington, D.C., which ranked second. This institution successfully attained its goal of carbon neutrality two years ahead of schedule, having committed to this initiative in 2010. Its recently launched Sustainability Strategic Plan outlines 113 objectives across six focus areas aimed at enhancing its sustainability efforts through 2030.

Besides these top two, the guide features an impressive array of institutions. Notable mentions in the top 25 include:

• - Lehigh University (PA)
• - Loyola Marymount University (CA)
• - Bennington College (VT)
• - University of California, Santa Cruz
• - University of Massachusetts—Amherst
• - Northeastern University (MA)
• - University of New Hampshire

The comprehensive profiles in the guide not only provide information on admissions and application procedures but also highlight each institution's Green Rating scores, as well as sustainability-related distinctions and practices. In total, the 388 colleges represented in this year's guide contribute significantly to sustainability metrics: 18% of their energy comes from renewable sources, and 94% have appointed sustainability officers on their campuses. Additionally, 98% offer degrees related to sustainability.

Rob Franek, Editorial Chief at The Princeton Review, noted that in the decade since the guide's launch, the number of colleges adhering to sustainable principles has risen sharply. Such institutions are increasingly implementing practices like constructing green-certified buildings and locally sourcing food.

The timing of the guide's release aligns with Campus Sustainability Month, organized by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, which aims to raise awareness about sustainable initiatives in higher education.

The Princeton Review emphasizes that prospective students are increasingly considering colleges' environmental commitments as part of their decision-making process. A significant survey revealed that 59% of students would factor a college's sustainability efforts into their application choices.

For more information about eco-friendly college options, the complete list of institutions, and specific details on their sustainability practices, visit PrincetonReview.com.