2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #2 place for sustainability science. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $51,543. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $41,618 early in their careers. Set against $21,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University placed #7 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $27,852. Sustainability Science graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
