2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
The University Of Tennessee earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability studies schools in Tennessee. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Sewanee The University Of The South, which ranked #3. 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. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $36,927. That is a strong return on a $22,091 median debt. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
