2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sustainability science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in sustainability science in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for sustainability science. 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. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,323. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $14,238. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $75,703 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #4 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $26,582. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $60,568. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #7 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $54,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 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. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $43,302. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Northern Arizona University placed #9 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. 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 Memphis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. 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, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #11 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #12 spot for sustainability science value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. 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. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $55,247. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #15 spot for sustainability science value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Utah landed the #16 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $30,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $26,774. 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.
Iowa State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #20 position for value in sustainability science this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Regis University came in at #21 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University placed #22 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Vermont landed the #23 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,787. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $76,517. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #25 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $18,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for sustainability science this year:
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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
