Sustainability Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 91 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best sustainability studies schools.
The school you choose for sustainability studies can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Sustainability Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Sustainability Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Sustainability Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 57 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $75,703. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at University Of California Berkeley
Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $78,551 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Northwestern University
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for sustainability studies. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
Get the full sustainability studies details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong sustainability studies program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability studies program report for Stanford University
Cornell University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sustainability studies from Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 23 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 207 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among the best sustainability studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 367 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $70,213 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,070.
More information about a degree in sustainability studies from Columbia University In The City Of New York
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #9 position for sustainability studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 15 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Carnegie Mellon University
Barnard College placed #10 among the best sustainability studies schools. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Barnard College
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #11 among the best sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 13 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability studies program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best sustainability studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 22 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University placed #13 among the best sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 422 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Harvard University earn around $95,207 in the first couple years of their career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full sustainability studies program report for Harvard University
Georgetown University placed #14 among the best sustainability studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 53 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
Get the full sustainability studies details for Georgetown University
Michigan Technological University landed the #15 spot for sustainability studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 30 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability studies program report for Michigan Technological University
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. About 87% of students finish within six years. Stevens Institute Of Technology awarded about 11 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $87,055 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability studies from Stevens Institute Of Technology
Vanderbilt University placed #17 among the best sustainability studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 11 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Vanderbilt University
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #18 for sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 47 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $65,944. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
Get the full sustainability studies details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Iowa State University placed #19 among the best sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 16 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $54,204 in their early career. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at Iowa State University
University Of Southern California ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 22 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability studies from University Of Southern California
University Of Miami landed the #21 spot for sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 24 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability studies program at University Of Miami
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best sustainability studies schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 32 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability studies degree from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn around $51,693 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,843.
See the full sustainability studies program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best sustainability studies schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 46 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053.
Get the full sustainability studies details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #24 position for sustainability studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 20 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $71,315 in their early career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans.
Get the full sustainability studies details for Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of Georgia came in at #25 for sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 76 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,789 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,033 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability studies program report for University Of Georgia
Rest of the Top 50 Sustainability Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for sustainability studies this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 91 schools evaluated.
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).
