2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Southwest 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
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $13,750. Sustainability Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Paradise Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #4 place for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #6 for value in sustainability studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,659. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,138. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #8 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $18,636 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $35,255. Set against $18,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% 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 · 23 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.
