2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) 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 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability science schools.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability science schools 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $39,261. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $11,000. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $31,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,302. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,115. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $30,548. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. 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, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $19,500. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $50,678. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #7 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,836. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the best values for sustainability science. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #10 position for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,138. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #11 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,045 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,045 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $25,286. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $41,445. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for sustainability science. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Louisville came in at #17 for value in sustainability science 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 science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $30,229. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University placed #19 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny At Geneseo placed #20 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $37,022. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $39,329. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #22 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,974. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $42,076. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Stony Brook University earned the #23 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University earned the #24 position for value in sustainability science this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. 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 Science graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability science:
Other Sustainability Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sustainability Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Sustainability Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 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.
