2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Sustainability Studies School for You
The sustainability studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Sustainability Studies 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
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for sustainability studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for sustainability studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $75,703. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Set against $16,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanford University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado Mountain College earned the #8 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $11,000. Sustainability Studies 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.
Florida International University came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $17,379 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for sustainability studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,137. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Michigan Technological University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #12 among the best values for sustainability studies. 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, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,033 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,789 early in their careers. Set against $20,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for value in sustainability studies 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. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $42,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,829. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $43,302 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Mesa Community College placed #15 among the best values for sustainability studies. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $52,963. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #17 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #18 among the best values for sustainability studies. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,836. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis landed the #19 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #21 for value in sustainability studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $27,174. Early-career sustainability studies 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 Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #22 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #23 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #24 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,045 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $30,698. Set against $20,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #25 position for value in sustainability studies 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. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability studies:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Sustainability Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 90 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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.
