2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Bachelor’s Degree 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.
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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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $15,250. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $39,261 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $31,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,379. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $43,302. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $30,548. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $50,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #7 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #9 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. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,138. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,045 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University placed #12 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $41,445. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #13 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in sustainability studies this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #17 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #18 among the best values for sustainability studies. 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. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,000. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bellevue University earned the #19 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $27,852. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $61,548. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #20 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $37,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
George Mason University earned the #21 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,329. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #22 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $42,076. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #23 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,537. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Oregon State University earned the #24 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Set against $24,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability studies:
Other Sustainability Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sustainability Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Sustainability Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
