2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $16,142. Sustainability Studies graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,379. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for sustainability studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,033 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,789. Set against $20,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,302. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $27,174. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville placed #11 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
George Mason University earned the #12 position for value in sustainability studies this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,329. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,097 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,787 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $76,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
College Of Charleston ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,733 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #16 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,803. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #17 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,393. Sustainability Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Lipscomb University earned the #18 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,529. Sustainability Studies graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #19 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,091. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Everglades University earned the #20 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,680. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $48,300 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $48,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Furman University came in at #21 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $36,520. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami came in at #22 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #23 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,346 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $40,671. Set against $26,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
