2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for sustainability science in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $15,250. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $39,261. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $17,379 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $28,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $20,033. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,789. That is a strong return on a $20,033 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $43,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #7 among the best values for sustainability science. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #9 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #10 spot for sustainability science value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Louisville came in at #11 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $58,534. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #12 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $39,329. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #13 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. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn a median of $76,517 early in their careers. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
College Of Charleston placed #14 among the best values for sustainability science. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,733. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #17 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,393. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #18 among the best values for sustainability science. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #19 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,091. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Everglades University came in at #20 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,680. Students borrow a median of $48,300 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Everglades University earn a median of $48,899 early in their careers. Set against $48,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Everglades University admits about 82% of applicants.
Furman University earned the #21 position for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $57,234. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #23 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,346 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
