2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 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 Middle Atlantic 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
For return on investment in sustainability studies, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #2 place for sustainability studies. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Montclair State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the sustainability studies program here. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes Suny At Geneseo one of the best values for sustainability studies. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Stony Brook University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $18,070. Sustainability Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $70,213 early in their careers. Set against $18,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo came in at #8 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College came in at #10 for value in sustainability studies this year. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,962. Sustainability Studies graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,962 median debt. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #11 for value in sustainability studies this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $65,944. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University placed #12 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Barnard College earned the #13 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,609. Sustainability Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #14 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $40,485. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #15 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Chatham University placed #16 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,001 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $18,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $59,456. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Hofstra University placed #18 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,848. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Culinary Institute Of America landed the #19 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Hyde Park, Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,670. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Culinary Institute Of America generally make around $35,043. That is a strong return on a $22,257 median debt. Culinary Institute Of America admits about 91% of applicants.
New York University placed #20 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Georgetown University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Stevens Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $87,055. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Pratt Institute Main earned the #23 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $38,569. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The New School came in at #24 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,460 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
