2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for sustainability studies in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Bellevue University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $27,852. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,496. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Maryville University Of Saint Louis one of the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,499. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $41,618. That is a strong return on a $21,425 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.