How to Find a Green College

The College Sustainability Report Card, a project of the Sustainable Endowments Institute, offers another point of view on green schools. It evaluated 300 schools with the largest endowments in the U.S. and Canada using 43 indicators in nine categories -- administration, climate change and energy, green building, food and recycling, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement.

The Report Card recognizes 15 overall college sustainability leaders. These schools -- including Brown University, Dartmouth College, Oberlin University, University of British Columbia, University of Washington and University of Vermont -- received an overall grade of A- across all categories. Forty-three schools were named overall campus sustainability leaders. These schools -- including Bowdoin College, Colorado State University, Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Middlebury College, Pennsylvania State University and Seattle University -- scored an A- on all campus sustainability measures. Finally, the 14 endowment sustainability leaders -- including Amherst College, Clark University, Earlham College, Swathmore College and the University of Minnesota -- received an A- or better across the three endowment categories.

Other outlets provide additional info on green schools: The Sierra Club has compiled a list of 10 green schools and five schools that are far from green. Even the 2009 Kaplan College Guide provides information for eco-minded students. The new guide profiles 25 green schools and 10 green careers.

DIY Research

Colleges are constantly updating their green practices, so don't rely completely on someone else's rankings. Be sure to ask your own questions when you visit the school.

Ask if any campus buildings are LEED certified -- or if the school plans to retrofit any buildings to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Find out how much of the dining hall's menu comes from local and organic sources, if the buildings are cleaned with green supplies and if pesticides are used on the school grounds. Explore transportation options -- are buses free and frequent, does the school offer a Zipcar program?