2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 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
Our analysis ranked Allegheny College the best value for a degree in sustainability science in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Sustainability Science graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Set against $26,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chatham University earned it the #2 place for sustainability science. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $18,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $40,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for sustainability science. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $59,456. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
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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 · 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.