Penn State tied for No. 2 among 237 ranked universities in the United States in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability for 2025, released Dec. 10. Internationally, the University rose 18 places in this year's rankings to tie for No. 19 out of 1,743 participating institutions worldwide.
Penn State also ranked at No. 1 among Big Ten institutions and No. 2 among all U.S. public universities.
The 2025 rankings provide a framework to show how universities are taking action to tackle the world's greatest environmental, social and governance challenges, according to international rankings organization Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Penn State's commitment to sustainability is reflected across University operations, its research enterprise, and through course-based and experiential learning opportunities for students. Examples of the University's sustainability efforts can be found in Penn State Sustainability's flagship programming, which includes the Sustainable Communities Collaborative, Local Climate Action Program, Sustainable Labs Program, and the annual student-led Global Sustainable Action Conference, co-hosted with Penn State Global.
"We're proud to recognize Penn State's strong and consistent presence in the QS World University Rankings," said Lara Fowler, chief sustainability officer at Penn State. "Our success in advancing sustainability reflects the collective passion, innovation and dedication of our University community. This meaningful work - championed by our students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners - creates ripples of positive change across our campuses and extends to the state and global communities where we have a vital presence."
