Developed by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), The Guide to 286 Green Colleges is the first, free comprehensive guidebook focused solely on institutions of higher education who have demonstrated an above-average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives. See guide at www.usgbc.org/campus and www.princetonreview.com/greenguide.

In time for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day (April 22nd), the book–which is based on a survey of hundreds of colleges nationwide–profiles the nation’s most environmentally-responsible campuses. From solar panel study rooms to the percentage of budget spent on local/organic food, The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges looks at an institution’s commitment to building certification using USGBC’s LEED green building certification program; environmental literacy programs; formal sustainability committees; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and more.

The Princeton Review chose the 286 schools included in the Guide based on the green rating scores the schools received in summer 2009 when The Princeton Review published these scores for 697 schools in its online college profiles and/or annual college guidebooks. The Princeton Review’s rating is a numerical score from 60–99 based on several data points. In 2008, The Princeton Review began collaborating with USGBC to help make the survey questions as comprehensive as possible. Of 697 schools to which The Princeton Review gave green ratings in 2009, the 286 schools in The Guide received scores in the 80th or higher percentile. The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this book hierarchically (1 to 286) or in any of its books based on its green rating scores.

“Students and their parents are becoming more and more interested in learning about and attending colleges and universities that practice, teach and support environmental responsibility,” said Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher, The Princeton Review. “According to our recent College Hope & Worries Survey, 64 percent of college applicants and their parents said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would impact their decision to apply to or attend it. We created this Guide to help them evaluate how institutions like NJIT focus on environmental responsibility so that they can make informed decisions as they move through the college assessment and application process.”