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2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Pennsylvania

1 Colleges in the United States
$25,371 Avg Student Debt
$71,784 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Badge [Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Pennsylvania

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

1
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

For return on investment in sustainability science, no school beat Allegheny College this year. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Students borrow a median of $26,962 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $34,175. That is a strong return on a $26,962 median debt. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.

2
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. 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. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $18,954. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

3
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at Wilkes University, which ranked #3. Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wilkes-Barre. In-state tuition and fees average $43,496. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Wilkes University earn a median of $64,004 early in their careers. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $40,485. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,529. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

View All Sustainability Science Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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