UC Riverside is ranked No. 9 among public universities in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges.

The campus was No. 27 on the overall list of Top 50 Green Colleges, released Oct. 25. The annual list recognizes institutions for superb sustainability practices, strong foundations in sustainability education, and healthy quality of life for students on campus.

The Princeton Review chose its schools based on data from the company’s surveys of administrators at 713 colleges during the 2021–22 academic year and surveys of students attending the colleges. The top 50 schools’ shared practices included high percentages of purchasing from local sources and/or organic; diverting waste from incinerators and landfills; offering sustainability-focused degrees; and having a sustainability officer on campus.

Fortino Morales, UCR’s sustainability officer, said the campus has a strong Sustainability Committee made up of students, staff, and faculty that promotes environmentally friendly practices. It also offers alternative transportation programs such as free bus passes, vanpool programs, and hybrid work schedules.

“We’re extremely proud of all the work the campus has done recently to achieve this ranking and to further campus sustainability initiatives in our academics, operations, and campus life,” he said. “All of these programs help reduce our campus carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier region overall. We look forward to making the campus even more sustainable in the coming years.”

An overwhelming majority of students who participated in the Princeton Reviews’ surveys have said a college’s commitment to the environment and green practices influences their decision to apply or attend the school, said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review.

 “We are proud to shine a light on these schools and to continue serving as a unique resource for students who want their ‘best-fit’ college to also ideally be a green one,” he said. “We highly recommend each and every one of the colleges in our guide.”

The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. The Princeton Review is a tutoring, test prep, and college admission services company.