2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Colorado
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Colorado
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 Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $31,734. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Mesa State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,310. Sustainability Science graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $42,076 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #4. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $26,582. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #5 makes Colorado State University Fort Collins one of the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. 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. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
