WMU named Michigan's top 'affordable, eco-friendly' campus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University has been named one of the nation's top 50 most affordable, eco-friendly colleges by BestChoiceSchools.com.

Coming in at No. 13 on the list of affordable schools that are "recognized leaders in energy conservation and sustainability," WMU is the top-placing college in Michigan. Rankings by the higher education website are based on broad recognition for sustainability efforts and annual tuition and fees or cost of attendance of less than $25,000.

More than 300 environmentally conscious schools were considered for the ranking, website editors announced, but only the most affordable colleges made the list. The 50 schools selected "have all been formally recognized for superior levels of sustainability and commitment to the green movement."

WMU has been nationally honored for its sustainability efforts a number of times in recent months. On Oct. 2, WMU President John M. Dunn was in Boston to accept WMU's 2014 Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature. And in late September, the British publication Transport Evolved singled out WMU as one of the top five best campuses in the United States for electric vehicle infrastructure.

Schools listed on the new Best Choice Schools ranking range from Berea College at No. 1 to Oregon State University at No. 50. Two other Michigan schools are on the list. Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, are listed at No. 22 and No. 37, respectively.

The complete ranking with notations about each school's sustainability strengths can be found at bestchoiceschools.com/50-great-affordable-eco-friendly-colleges/.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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