Finding the Best Value Sustainability Studies School for You
The sustainability studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sustainability studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,261. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for sustainability studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $70,051. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Colorado Mountain College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $31,734. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,379. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $28,997. That is a strong return on a $17,379 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $75,703. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,033. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #8 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for sustainability studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,302. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $10,447. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #11 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $42,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #13 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #14 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,673. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #15 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,568. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Mesa Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Carolina University placed #17 among the best values for sustainability studies. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $27,174. Sustainability Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #18 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,045 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,698 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,045 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #19 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Utah ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #21 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #22 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $41,445. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #24 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability studies:
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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 · 278 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability studies education at a price that pays off.
