by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their sustainability science graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the early-career earnings of their sustainability science graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send sustainability science graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #1 spot for highest-paid sustainability science graduates in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. After graduating, sustainability science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $85,716 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sustainability science schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public school located in the town of Platteville. Early-career sustainability science graduates from University Of Wisconsin Platteville make a median of around $59,089 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for sustainability science. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career sustainability science graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $50,678 per year.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sustainability science, landing the #4 spot this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public school located in the rural area of Galloway. After graduating, sustainability science degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey typically earn about $49,205 annually.
George Mason University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career sustainability science graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $62,841 per year.
University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. After graduating, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Florida typically earn about $62,552 annually.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #7 for sustainability science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $54,162 a year early in their careers.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for sustainability science. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a private not-for-profit institution. Sustainability Science graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of about $69,211 a year early in their careers.
Western Washington University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for sustainability science. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. Sustainability Science graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of about $41,600 a year early in their careers.
Montclair State University came in at #10 for sustainability science graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Early-career sustainability science graduates from Montclair State University make a median of around $41,445 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot for sustainability science salaries this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Sustainability Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of about $35,255 a year early in their careers.
Colorado Mountain College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for sustainability science. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a public institution. Students who complete the sustainability science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,053.
University Of California Riverside placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for sustainability science. University Of California Riverside is a public school located in the city of Riverside. Students who complete the sustainability science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,698.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #14 position for sustainability science graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of about $30,548 a year early in their careers.
University Of Utah placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for sustainability science. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. After graduating, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Utah typically earn about $30,229 annually.
Florida International University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sustainability science schools. Florida International University is a public school located in the suburb of Miami. Early-career sustainability science graduates from Florida International University make a median of around $28,997 per year.
Montana State University landed the #17 spot for sustainability science salaries this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a public institution. Students who complete the sustainability science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,296.
Chatham University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, sustainability science degree recipients from Chatham University typically earn about $18,954 annually.
Explore the highest-paying sustainability science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their sustainability science graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 18 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.