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2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in California

5 Colleges in the United States
$16,809 Avg Student Debt
$91,932 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sustainability studies schools.

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2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

1

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools in California. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $75,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Riverside one of the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,045. 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.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $15,625. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

5

Pepperdine University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,918. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,645. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

View All Sustainability Studies Rankings >

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 · 5 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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