College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

For the 16^th consecutive year, Western Kentucky University has been recognized as one of the nation's most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review®.

WKU received a Green Rating score of 91 in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2026 Edition. The Green Rating, on a scale of 60–99, provides a comprehensive measure of a school's performance as an environmentally aware and prepared institution.

“Sustained recognition like this speaks to the genuine commitment of our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Leslie North, Director of Sustainability, Associate Professor and Department Chair for WKU Earth, Environmental and Atmosphere Sciences. “Our campus community has continued to prioritize sustainability in ways that make a lasting difference, and that shared dedication is what truly sets WKU apart. Being recognized for sixteen consecutive years underscores not only where we are, but where we’re headed.”

The Guide, a free online resource published since 2010, profiles 388 colleges that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability.

The Princeton Review chose the colleges for the 2026 edition based on a survey it conducted in 2024-2025 of administrators at over 400 colleges about their institutions' sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. Institutions included in this edition of the Guide have green rating scores of 80 or higher. The company also surveyed students attending the colleges about their "green" campus experiences. The school selections were based on more than 25 data points from the surveys.

The profiles provide detail on the schools’ uses of renewable energy, their recycling and conservation programs, and the availability of environmental studies in their academic offerings. The profiles also include information on the school’s admission requirements, cost and financial aid.

WKU, which created its Office of Sustainability in 2008, has earned numerous national recognition and certifications, including the International WELL Building Institute for Ogden College Hall, the Green Restaurant Association Certified Dining program, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings, AASHE STARS (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System), Tree Campus USA, U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools and more.

For more about the WKU Office of Sustainability, visit https://www.wku.edu/sustainability/.

More: Read more about the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges

Contact: Leslie North, leslie.north@wku.edu

-WKU-

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.