2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Illinois

[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability science schools.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in sustainability science in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #4 spot 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. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $57,588. 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.