Finding the Best Value Sustainability Science School for You
Where you study sustainability science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Sustainability Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sustainability Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sustainability science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
For return on investment in sustainability science, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $39,261. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for sustainability science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $13,389. Sustainability Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for sustainability science. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $31,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for sustainability science. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $17,379. Sustainability Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. Set against $17,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #6 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $14,238. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $75,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Georgia came in at #7 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,033 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $49,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #8 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #10 among the best values for sustainability science. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,836. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #12 spot for sustainability science value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in sustainability science this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #14 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #15 among the best values for sustainability science. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $19,137. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $60,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Mesa Community College earned the #16 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,045 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $30,698. Set against $20,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Utah came in at #20 for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,000. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,229 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #21 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Montclair State University placed #22 among the best values for sustainability science. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,445. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #23 for value in sustainability science this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #24 for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #25 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability science:
Narrow Sustainability Science Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 278 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.
