The Princeton Review, in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), released the third annual edition of its unique, free guidebook saluting the nation's most environmentally responsible "green colleges."

"The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition" profiles 322 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The 232-page book — the only free, comprehensive, annually updated guide to green colleges — can be downloaded here. The Guide was developed with generous support from United Technologies Corp, founding sponsor of the Center for Green Schools.

The Princeton Review, well known for its education and test-prep services, first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC, which is best-known for developing the LEED green building rating system. In 2010, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

College applicants using the guide will find in it:
• School profiles with application, admission, financial aid and student enrollment information
"Green Highlights" write-ups detailing each school's most impressive environmental and sustainability initiatives
• "Green Facts" sidebars reporting statistics and facts on everything from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies programs, and green jobs career guidance
• A glossary of 40+ green terms and acronyms from AASHE to "zero waste"
• Lists identifying schools in the book with various green distinctions - among them: those with LEED-certified buildings and those that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
• The guidebook also has an introductory section discussing sustainability issues and advice on living green on campus.

"College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review. "Among 7,445 college applicants who participated in our 2012 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly 7 out of 10 (68 percent) told us that having information about a school's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school," he added. "Together with USGBC, we are pleased to make this free resource available to all students seeking to attend colleges that practice, teach and support environmentally-responsible choices. To that end, we highly recommend the terrific schools in this book."

"In this unique period of time during their college search, prospective students and their parents have a combined buying power of at least $464 billion. Colleges and universities need to demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability to the 68 percent of students who say that a school's commitment to sustainability is part of their decision making process," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. "We're glad to be able to offer a resource like The Princeton Review Guide to help make our future college student's decisions a little easier."