Eco-friendly colleges are an increasing concern among the current crop of applicants. Here’s how the greenest colleges are meeting the demand. 

Nearly 2/3 of high school-age applicants said they wanted more information on a college’s dedication to the environment, according to a survey by the Princeton Review. The result: The Princeton Review Guide to 286 Green Colleges, available for free thanks to funding from the Green Building Council.

Profiled schools are scored in three major areas:

• Providing students with a healthy and sustainable quality of life
• Preparing students for green jobs and responsible citizenship, and
• Using environmentally responsible school policies.

Colleges lead all other industries in environmental responsibility, through efforts like green building certification and environmental literacy programs, formal sustainability committees, use of renewable energy resources, and recycling and conservation programs.

Some of the top contenders are:

• Agnes Scott College, GA, for its environment and sustainability minor
• New York University, for its green purchasing policies, and
• Portland State University, OR, for its participation in Portland’s “eco-district” neighborhood greening efforts.

Check out the complete list here.

How eco-friendly is your school? Let us know in the comments section.

Tags: Agnes Scott College, eco-friendly colleges, New York University, Portland University, Princeton Review