2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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 Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #2 place for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for sustainability studies. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Iowa earned it the #4 place for sustainability studies. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,425. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $41,618. Set against $21,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #6 spot for sustainability studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Bellevue University landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
