2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southwest Region

[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Science Schools
Mesa Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value sustainability science schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Sustainability Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the best values for sustainability science. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $18,636 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $35,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.