2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in New York
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 12 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in New York
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. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
A rank of #2 makes Suny At Geneseo one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Sustainability Studies graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Stony Brook University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,537. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,047. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $18,070 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $70,213. That is a strong return on a $18,070 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University At Buffalo earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Cornell University landed the #6 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Barnard College came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,609. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $50,790. That is a strong return on a $17,609 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hofstra University came in at #8 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Culinary Institute Of America ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Culinary Institute Of America is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hyde Park. Students from in state pay about $38,670 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,257. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $35,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Culinary Institute Of America admits about 91% of applicants.
New York University came in at #10 for value in sustainability studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #11 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $38,569. Set against $25,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School came in at #12 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Students borrow a median of $24,460 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of The New School earn a median of $38,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More Sustainability Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
