2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Leading the list is Allegheny College, our #1 best value for sustainability studies in Pennsylvania. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,962 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #2 makes Chatham University one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,261. Sustainability Studies graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $18,954 early in their careers. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
Wilkes University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for sustainability studies. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
A rank of #5 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.