UC Davis is over-the-top thorough about all the nitty-gritty aspects of good stewardship. Lots of time and money go toward a well-rounded set of efforts, including being vigilant about using the school's purchasing power for good, diverting around 70% of its trash from landfills, and offering sound transportation solutions: On any given day, 20,000 bikes roam the campus. Pictured above is UC Davis West Village, which opened last October as America's largest planned zero-net-energy residential community. Check out video tour of our top school.

Photo courtesy of Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis