Top Performer

Seattle University is ranked #8 nationally among master’s institutions for its sustainable practices. 

The university’s top-10 ranking appears in the 2017 Sustainable Campus Index, which is published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE). The Chronicle of Higher Education also featured the nation’s top performing institutions in its Nov. 6 edition. 

In addition to its overall ranking, SU is also ranked #3 among all universities for “Wellbeing and Work,” one of 17 impact areas highlighted in the report. 

The index is based on reports provided by universities for the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). Seattle University’s most recent report earned a STARS Gold rating, the second-highest rating universities can achieve. 

“With our improvements in water conservation and landfill waste diversion over the past year and with Fr. Steve’s leadership on socially responsible investments, it will be exciting to see if we can move even closer to the top of AASHE’s 2018 rankings," says Phil Thompson, director of the Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability (CEJS).

STARS evaluates universities in four categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration. As of July 1, 2017, 768 STARS reports were submitted by 445 institutions in 10 countries, and there were 858 STARS participants in 34 countries.

For more information on Seattle University's sustainability efforts, visit CEJS.