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. This annual list recognizes institutions for superb sustainability practices, strong foundations in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus. The recognition reflects years of effort from students, faculty, and staff who continue to advocate for greener operations, academic programs centered on sustainability, and opportunities for students to live and learn in an environmentally responsible community.
The Princeton Review chose its schools based on data from surveys of administrators at 713 colleges during the 2021–22 academic year as well as surveys of students attending those institutions. These surveys looked at everything from how schools manage their waste to how deeply sustainability is embedded in the curriculum. The top 50 schools’ shared practices included high percentages of purchasing from local sources and organic vendors, diverting waste from incinerators and landfills, offering sustainability-focused degrees, and maintaining a dedicated sustainability officer on campus.
UC Riverside’s inclusion on the list highlights the campus’s wide range of environmentally conscious programs. Fortino Morales, UCR’s sustainability officer, explained that the campus has a strong Sustainability Committee made up of students, staff, and faculty who collaborate to promote environmentally friendly practices. This committee provides oversight and direction, ensuring that campus efforts reflect both immediate goals and long-term sustainability priorities.
Among the initiatives already in place are alternative transportation programs such as free bus passes for students and employees, vanpool programs that reduce the number of cars on the road, and hybrid work schedules designed to cut down on daily commuting. Together, these programs lessen traffic congestion, improve air quality, and help reduce the university’s carbon footprint. Morales emphasized that the impact extends beyond campus, benefiting the broader community by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging cleaner, healthier regional air.
“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,” Morales 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.”
The recognition also aligns with national trends in how students evaluate universities. An overwhelming majority of students who participated in the Princeton Review’s surveys reported that a college’s commitment to the environment and green practices influences their decision to apply to or attend the school. Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review, reinforced this point by stating: “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. 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 preparation, and college admission services company. Its annual Guide to Green Colleges remains one of the most widely referenced resources for students who want to understand how sustainability is prioritized at universities across the nation. For UC Riverside, being ranked highly in this guide not only recognizes the achievements of the campus community but also reaffirms its commitment to building a future where sustainability is central to education, daily operations, and student life.