Pitzer College Boasts High Rankings in Princeton Review Best Colleges

As a hub of forward-thinking and action-oriented education, Pitzer College has earned the No. 1 spot in the “Making an Impact” category in Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges of 2026.” Student surveys have also ranked Pitzer highly for opportunities in leadership, advocacy, and student life. 

This is the fifth consecutive year that Pitzer has topped the “Making an Impact” list, which recognizes schools that cultivate student changemakers. All Pitzer students engage local communities through at least one social responsibility praxis course, which is a graduation requirement. The College also offers various programs and centers that support students to make a difference in social justice, sustainability, education, incarceration, public health, and more. 

Pitzer is No. 3 for “Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation.” The distinction reflects how sustainability infuses the College’s academics, campus life, and various initiatives. The College is also currently developing a Sustainability Plan for supporting long-term work in environmental justice and climate action. 

Spring 2026 showed several recent examples of eco-awareness on campus. Pitzer students won PowerDown, an annual competition at The Claremont Colleges to reduce energy consumption. Driven by a student-led initiative, Pitzer and its Claremont peers also signed an agreement with the Clean Power Alliance to transition to 100% renewable electricity. (The full transition goes into effect on January 4, 2027.)  

Pitzer also ranks No. 4 for “Most Active Student Government” and No. 9 for “Most Politically Active Students.” Pitzer’s Student Senate is one of the largest per-capita college student governments in the world and enables students to directly participate in college governance. Students are also involved in community advocacy and organizing through academic programs, clubs, and internships. 

Placing at No. 7 for “Great Outdoors: Students Get Outside,” Pitzer boasts many opportunities for students to immerse themselves in nature. The Gear Closet lends out free outdoor equipment, and the student club Pitzer Outdoor Adventures facilitates frequent hiking and camping trips. 

Pitzer’s community flourishes with support for LGBTQIA+ students and allies, which is reflected in the College ranking No. 9 for “LGBTQ-Friendly.” Support for LGBTQIA+ students include the student-run PZ QT+ Alliance and the Claremont Colleges Queer Resource Center. 

Other aspects of Pitzer’s student life and academics have also received honors in Princeton Review. Pitzer is at No. 14 for “Best College Dorms,” No. 21 for “Best Classroom Experience,” and No. 23 for “Best Science Lab Facilities.” As a culmination of its robust academic profile, the College numbers among 79 “Best West” schools in Princeton Review’s “2027 Best Colleges: Region by Region.” 

See the full list of Princeton Review’s “The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition.”