2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Tennessee

[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sustainability studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Memphis the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in Tennessee. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Lipscomb University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,572. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
More Sustainability Studies Rankings
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.