UMass Amherst Places in Top 25 in Green College Rankings

Source: UMass News and Media

UMass Amherst ranks in the top 25 among the nation’s most environmentally responsible higher educational institutions, according to The Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges.

For the ninth consecutive year, UMass Amherst has been recognized in the guide, which this year profiles 511 green colleges. The Princeton Review chose the colleges and universities based on a combination of school-reported data and student opinion from its 2023-24 sustainability survey created by a team of experts on green practices in higher education. Survey topics ranged from academic offerings and campus initiatives to career preparation for green jobs. More about methodology can be found here.

Those selected as Top 50 Green Colleges exhibit superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus, according to The Princeton Review. UMass Amherst placed No. 25 on this list and stands as the largest university among the other New England private and public institutions in the top 25.  

“Being included again in the top 25 and one of only five large universities, we continue to show national leadership in sustainability and I’m proud of that,” said Ezra Small, UMass Amherst campus sustainability manager. “We need to continue to push the envelope in creating a more sustainable institution both operationally and academically to use our campus as a learning tool for our students who will be the leaders of tomorrow helping to solve these local to global challenges that we face.”

More than 25 survey data points were analyzed by The Princeton Review editors to tally Green Rating scores for the schools on a scale of 60 to 99; UMass Amherst earned a score of 99. Colleges that earned a Green Rating of 80 or higher made it into the guide, providing college applicants a window into a school’s sustainability practices and education.

“I’m thrilled that our campus is being recognized for our shared commitment to a sustainable future. We have great strength in sustainability science, creative work and educational programming,” said Rob DeConto, director of the School of Earth and Sustainability at UMass Amherst. “I think we can do even more by building new programs, community partnerships and a research infrastructure that encourages and supports the interdisciplinary innovation required to support a flourishing environment and a resilient and just commonwealth. The university’s new strategic plan speaks to this future, with sustainability as a core value. Our top 25 ranking is a wonderful achievement that we can all be proud of, and I’m looking forward to an even more impactful future.”