2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
For return on investment in sustainability studies, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $70,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $75,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,137. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $60,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $54,806. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,829. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $43,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #11 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #12 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #13 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,500. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $55,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Montclair State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $41,445. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $30,229. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #18 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Regis University landed the #21 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Harvard University landed the #22 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $16,616. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Vermont came in at #23 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #24 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,787. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $76,517. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #25 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,070 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,070 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sustainability studies value ranking:
Other Sustainability Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value sustainability studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Sustainability Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
