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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Sustainability Studies

196 Ranked Colleges
3,005 Degrees Awarded
$33,400 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Sustainability Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Sustainability Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Sustainability Studies is the 248th most popular major in the country with 3,005 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Sustainability Major” ranking looked at 196 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in sustainability studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular sustainability studies programs in the United States.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Sustainability Studies Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Sustainability Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Well Attended Sustainability Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Sustainability Major”.

1

Out of the 196 schools in the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #1 spot on the list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 151 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Sustainability Studies Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 97 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Sustainability Studies Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 86 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full UIUC Sustainability Studies Report

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 84 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sustainability Studies at University of Florida

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s sustainability degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Sustainability Studies Report

6

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking, coming in at #6. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 94 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Sustainability Studies Report

7
Presidio Graduate School crest
Presidio Graduate School
San Francisco, California

Presidio Graduate School ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 68 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Presidio Graduate School Sustainability Studies Report

8
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

With a ranking of #8, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. Rutgers New Brunswick is a public institution located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

9

University of California - Berkeley landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sustainability degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at University of California - Berkeley

10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s sustainability students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Sustainability Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

10

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 53 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sustainability Studies at UW Seattle

12

University of California - Riverside ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 52 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of California - Riverside Sustainability Studies Report

13
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 134 ’s sustainability degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Harvard University

14

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking, coming in at #14. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 43 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Florida International University

14
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. This large school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and it awarded 43 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oregon State University Sustainability Studies Report

16

University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s sustainability students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Massachusetts Amherst Sustainability Studies Report

17

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. University of Oklahoma is a large school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 41 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at University of Oklahoma

18
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking, coming in at #18. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s sustainability degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Michigan State University

18

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Ohio State

18
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Colorado Mountain College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. Colorado Mountain College is a public institution located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Colorado Mountain College

21
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sustainability degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at Western Washington University

22

The City College of New York ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. CCNY is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 36 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at The City College of New York

23
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking. GMU is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full George Mason University Sustainability Studies Report

23
RISD crest
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island

Rhode Island School of Design did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Sustainability Major ranking, coming in at #23. Rhode Island School of Design is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 33 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Sustainability Studies at RISD

25

Washington University in St Louis ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 32 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sustainability Studies at WUSTL

25

Utah State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Sustainability Major list. This large school is located in Logan, Utah, and it awarded 32 ’s sustainability degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full USU Sustainability Studies Report

Rest of the Best 31 in Most Well Attended Sustainability Major

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

27
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California
28
28
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida
28
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
28
28
Furman crest
Furman University
Greenville, South Carolina

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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