AU Ranks Second in The Princeton Review’s Top 50 Green Colleges List
American University ranked #2 on the list of Top 50 Green Colleges in The Princeton Review’s recently released 2025 Guide to Green Colleges. This ranking is AU’s highest yet in this annual list.
The Princeton Review chooses its Top 50 Green Colleges based on a combination of school-reported data and student opinion via institutional and student surveys, with AU receiving a Green Rating of 99. The three main criteria were:
- Whether students have a campus quality of life that is both healthy and sustainable
- How well a school is preparing students for employment in the clean-energy economy
- How environmentally responsible a school’s policies are
Director of Sustainability Megan Litke said, "It's an honor to be recognized by The Princeton Review for our commitment to sustainability. At AU, we know that this commitment wasn't a one-time effort, but an ongoing, community-wide priority that is reflected by diverse projects spearheaded by individuals and groups across the campus year after year.”
One such project underway currently is the construction of the Meltzer Center, poised to be AU’s first LEED Platinum and net zero energy building. As the nation’s first net zero athletics center, the Meltzer Center will produce at least as much energy as it uses. Net zero energy buildings produce energy using renewable sources and do not contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“I look forward to seeing the ribbon cutting of AU's first LEED Platinum project as well as exploring future opportunities and possibilities to further promote sustainability on campus," said Litke.