[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability science schools.
Finding the Best Value Sustainability Science School for You
The sustainability science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Sustainability Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sustainability Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in sustainability science in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $15,250. Sustainability Science 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%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $70,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $75,703. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Hillsborough Community College, which ranked #5. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Stanford University landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $10,492. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #7 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Mountain College placed #8 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $31,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $17,379. Sustainability Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,379 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $60,568. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #11 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Georgia came in at #12 for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,033 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $49,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #13 among the best values for sustainability science. 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. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,829. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $43,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Mesa Community College placed #15 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $13,750. Sustainability Science graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #16 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Memphis came in at #19 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $26,315. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #20 spot for sustainability science value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,477. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #21 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #23 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $13,975. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science 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, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,045. Sustainability Science 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.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #25 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,813. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability science:
This list is compiled 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 · 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).
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.
