2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for sustainability science in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $60,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for sustainability science. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,053. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. 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 science program here. 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%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $26,774. Sustainability Science graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $54,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Northwestern University came in at #11 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $25,340. Sustainability Science graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $57,588 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.