2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $66,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #2 place for sustainability studies. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $11,000. Sustainability Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $31,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,229 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $42,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Regis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Montana State University placed #7 among the best values for sustainability studies. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $22,296. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.