2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in sustainability science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for sustainability science. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $30,229. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Mesa State College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,310. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $42,076. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University earned the #7 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,635. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $22,296. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Regis University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Denver placed #9 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
