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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$17,581 Avg Student Debt
$82,161 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Badge [Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Far Western Region

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

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $10,492. Sustainability Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for sustainability studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $14,238. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $75,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

3

University Of California Riverside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $20,045 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $30,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Western Washington University one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $19,086 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,600. That is a strong return on a $19,086 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oregon State University earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,043. Sustainability Studies graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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