2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
For return on investment in sustainability studies, no school beat Allegheny College 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.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Chatham University, which ranked #2. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $40,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,125. Sustainability Studies graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.