These Are The Most Eco-Friendly Schools in Each State

Discover the Most Eco-Friendly Schools in Each State for 2026

Map of Eco-Friendly Colleges

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In 2026, sustainability remains a crucial priority for higher education institutions across the United States. While many colleges incorporate environmental awareness into their operations, some schools are recognized as leaders in eco-friendliness, integrating sustainability into their core values and educational frameworks.

At these institutions, ecological awareness transcends mere compliance; it shapes the educational experience and fosters a profound understanding of humanity’s impact on the environment and vice versa.

What distinguishes these eco-friendly colleges? Is it their innovative building designs, comprehensive sustainability initiatives, or simply their commitment to responsible waste management?

At Zippia, we sought to uncover the most sustainable colleges by utilizing the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). This system evaluates schools based on various sustainability metrics.

The complete list of eco-friendly schools can be found below, but first, here’s a snapshot of the top ten.

Stanford University
Colorado State University
University of Connecticut
Arizona State University
Sterling College
University of Washington
Appalachian State University
Chatham University
Colby College
American University

Methodology

The AASHE’s STARS program offers a comprehensive framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. It assesses schools on diverse criteria, including campus operations, educational engagement, and innovative sustainability practices.

With over seven hundred institutions participating in STARS, we compiled and analyzed their scores, ranking the highest-scoring school from each state to create our final list.

Does your institution rank among the top ten? Continue reading for the complete list.

1. Stanford University

Stanford University

Source

Location: Stanford, CA
STARS Score:
Description: Renowned for its selective admissions, Stanford embodies innovation with its “Sustainable Stanford” initiative, which focuses on minimizing resource consumption while implementing creative, sustainable solutions.

2. Colorado State University

Colorado State University

Source

Location: Fort Collins, CO
STARS Score: 85.56
Description: Home to over 30,000 students, CSU employs a “Supercluster” research model to collaborate with businesses, promoting campus sustainability through green building practices and a wind farm for renewable energy.

3. University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut

Source

Location: Storrs, CT
STARS Score: 81.3
Description: Established in 1881, UConn has emerged as a leader in sustainability, utilizing its PureCell System, a fuel cell technology that reduces energy costs and emissions.

4. Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Source

Location: Tempe, AZ
STARS Score: 81.11
Description: ASU, one of the largest public universities by enrollment, boasts significant sustainability practices, including extensive solar energy initiatives and wind turbines that support its energy needs.

5. Sterling College

Sterling College

Source

Location: Sterling, KS
STARS Score: 78.28
Description: This Christian university emphasizes environmental stewardship, integrating sustainability into all aspects of the educational experience.

6. University of Washington

University of Washington

Source

Location: Seattle, WA
STARS Score: 77.43
Description: UDub implements strong sustainability practices, including local sourcing for its dining services, adherence to LEED standards for new buildings, and comprehensive composting initiatives.

7. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

Source

Location: Boone, NC
STARS Score: 77.24
Description: Nestled in the mountains, App State is recognized for its sustainable initiatives, including LEED-certified buildings and a 100-kilowatt wind turbine on campus.

8. Chatham University

Chatham University

Source

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
STARS Score: 75.79
Description: Originally a women’s college, Chatham now features the Falk School of Sustainability, dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and education.

9. Colby College

Colby College

Source

Location: Waterville, ME
STARS Score: 75.65
Description: A private liberal arts institution founded in 1813, Colby College implements renewable energy and LEED-certification for all new constructions.

10. American University

American University

Source

Location: Washington, DC
STARS Score: 75.35
Description: Located in the nation’s capital, American University has made significant strides in sustainability, including a solar farm that supplies 50% of its energy and initiatives to reduce food waste.

Conclusion

Explore the full list below to uncover which institutions lead in sustainability across the United States. At Zippia, we’re committed to providing resources to help you navigate your career journey.

Are you currently refining your resume? Discover the differences in how men and women approach resume writing.

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Institute Name	City	State Abbrev.	Stars Score
Auburn University	Auburn	AL	53
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville	AR	64
Arizona State University	Tempe	AZ	81
Stanford University	Stanford	CA	85
Colorado State University	Fort Collins	CO	85
University of Connecticut	Storrs	CT	81
American University	Washington	DC	75
Florida Gulf Coast University	Fort Myers	FL	68
Emory University	Atlanta	GA	72
Iowa State University	Ames	IA	68
Loyola University Chicago	Chicago	IL	70
University of Notre Dame	Notre Dame	IN	68
University of Kansas	Lawrence	KS	51
University of Louisville	Louisville	KY	65
Tulane University	New Orleans	LA	56
Bentley University	Waltham	MA	72
Frostburg State University	Frostburg	MD	47
Colby College	Waterville	ME	75
University of Michigan	Ann Arbor	MI	70
University of Minnesota, Morris	Morris	MN	70
University of Missouri	Columbia	MO	65
University of Montana	Missoula	MT	41
Appalachian State University	Boone	NC	77
University of Nebraska at Omaha	Omaha	NE	58
University of New Hampshire	Durham	NH	67
Princeton University	Princeton	NJ	58
New Mexico State University	Las Cruces	NM	66
University of Nevada Las Vegas	Las Vegas	NV	45
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry	Syracuse	NY	73
Oberlin College	Oberlin	OH	73
Oklahoma State University	Stillwater	OK	46
Oregon State University	Corvallis	OR	72
Chatham University	Pittsburgh	PA	75
Bryant University	Smithfield	RI	51
Furman University	Greenville	SC	69
Black Hills State University	Spearfish	SD	48
Belmont University	Nashville	TN	69
Texas A&M University	College Station	TX	66
University of Utah	Salt Lake City	UT	58
Virginia Tech	Blacksburg	VA	71
Sterling College	Craftsbury Common	VT	78
University of Washington, Seattle	Seattle	WA	77
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee	WI	67

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Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.

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