Penn State is tied for No. 4 in the United States in the QS World University sustainability rankings for 2024. The university ranked No. 4 among 210 colleges in the United States, while locked in the No. 37 spot out of 1,403 worldwide institutions.

It ranks first among Big Ten schools with Minnesota and No. 2 in the U.S. public university category.

“We’re pleased to acknowledge Penn State’s continued strong placement in the QS World University Rankings,” Lara Fowler, chief sustainability officer and director of Penn State Sustainability, said in a release. “Our enduring success in the field of sustainability is due to the continued commitment and unwavering dedication that our University community invests in this cause. This important work — driven by students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners — extends its impact not only across each of our 24 campuses, but also reaches into both state and global communities we are embedded within.”

The sustainability rankings measure social impact, environmental impact, and governance. Each category focuses on topics such as environmental education and research, equality, knowledge exchange, and procedures.

Penn State ranked No. 3 in the U.S. in the 2023 Times Higher Education University Impact rankings earlier this year, which measures university progress in comparison to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are proud of Penn State’s continued strong showing in the QS rankings for sustainability. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing the most pressing environmental, social and governance challenges facing our world,” Andrew Read, Penn State’s interim senior vice president for research, said. “Together, we are making a meaningful impact not only within our Commonwealth Campuses but also on a statewide and global scale. Sustainability is not just a goal for us; it’s a way of life that we are proud to embrace and promote.”