2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Cuny City College earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability science schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the sustainability science program here. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Suny At Geneseo, which ranked #2. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for sustainability science. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $18,070 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $70,213 early in their careers. Set against $18,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for sustainability science. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $27,491. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $63,515. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Cornell University landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
New York University placed #7 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Barnard College placed #8 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pratt Institute Main earned the #9 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $38,569. Set against $25,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,460. Sustainability Science graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
