2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
For return on investment in sustainability science, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,836. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,445 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Suny At Geneseo, which ranked #4. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,976. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $18,070. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $70,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for sustainability science value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,232. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $26,962 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #11 spot for sustainability science value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $25,120. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $65,944. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University earned the #12 position for value in sustainability science this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Barnard College came in at #13 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #14 position for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $40,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Chatham University came in at #16 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $18,954 early in their careers. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $59,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University earned the #18 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Culinary Institute Of America came in at #19 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the suburb of Hyde Park, Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,670. Students borrow a median of $22,257 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $35,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #20 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University landed the #21 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #22 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $87,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Pratt Institute Main placed #23 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $38,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School earned the #24 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,460. Sustainability Science graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Set against $24,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
