Rankings and Assessments
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Ranking System
The Office of Sustainability facilitates MSU’s triennial report to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), an American-based certification organization. AASHE provides a framework to measure sustainability efforts within higher education institutions. The Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS) assessment is used by over 900 schools in 40 countries and is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: academics; engagement; operations; planning and administration; and innovation and leadership. In 2019, MSU achieved its first Gold STARS rating, becoming one of three Gold-rated institutions in Michigan. MSU received its second Gold STARS rating in 2022, and is currently the highest rated institution in the state.
2022 STARS Report
Download Technical Manual (2.2)
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
The Office of Sustainability works with the Office of Institutional Research to facilitate MSU’s submission to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. This ranking assesses higher education institutions' progress against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three main areas: research, outreach and stewardship. MSU participated for the first time in the 2021 Impact Rankings. In the 2022 Impact Rankings, MSU tied for No. 33 in the world out of more than 1,400 institutions. In addition to the overall ranking, MSU ranked globally in the top 35 in these key areas: #6 for SDG 2 - Zero Hunger; #25 for SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; #26 for SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals; #27 for SDG 15 - Life on Land; and #33 for SDG 1 - No Poverty.
Bicycle Friendly University
In 2021, the League of American Bicyclists awarded MSU with a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University designation for the first time. The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. Only 31 universities in the U.S. have received the gold-level award from the League of American Bicyclists. MSU is the first higher education institution to be awarded gold in Michigan.
Tree Higher Campus Education
The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. In 2020, MSU achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards: maintaining a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and student service-learning project.
Exercise in Medicine
