Binghamton University continues to be recognized nationally as a great-value, green school.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 listing of “America’s Best Colleges” ranked BU No. 39 in the country among public universities and colleges and No. 90 in the country among public and private universities. The magazine has said its college and university rankings are based on peer assessment, schools’ graduation and retention rates, faculty resources and financial resources, among other factors.

BU also made the top 50 public universities list in The Princeton Review’s “Best 376 Colleges” guide this year.

BU was recognized for its sustainability and environmental friendliness this year on both The Princeton Review’s Green Honor Roll and ranked 54th in Sierra Club’s “Coolest Schools Listing,” which judged schools in categories such as energy supply, efficiency, food, academics, purchasing, transportation and waste management.

The Princeton Review ranked BU fourth on its list of “Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges.” Forbes ranked BU No. 37 on its list of “America’s Best College Buys,” and No. 196 overall.

“We work very hard to be an exceptional university and as a result, we consistently rank among the elite institutions in the nation,” said BU President C. Peter Magrath in a University press release. “To be included in such a broad array of accolades and rankings speaks highly of our reputation for providing an excellent education and serves as a tribute to the hard work of University faculty, staff and students.”

Not all of BU’s placements in ranking lists this year reflected positively on the University, however.

The Daily Beast put BU first on its “Most Manageable Workload” list this fall. The website assessed that BU “[offers] a top-notch degree for the least amount of work.”

BU students said they thought academic workloads vary between majors and professors.

Jerry Yang, a sophomore majoring in accounting, said his academic workload is manageable but it may vary with other majors.

Sarah Bullock, a senior majoring in creative writing, said certain professors assign much more demanding coursework than others.

“So much of it boils down to the professor,” Bullock noted. “You can have a professor who demands perfection, or you can have a professor who will grade well as long as he sees that you’re trying as hard as you can.”

The 2011 Fiske Guide to Colleges found BU intellectually challenging, while still manageable and fun.

Yang suggested that one ought to be skeptical about college rankings.

“Rankings in general are not that important,” Yang said. “If you work hard you can succeed in life.”

Yang did acknowledge, however, that BU’s reputation might be considered by potential employers who review its graduates.