2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

For return on investment in sustainability science, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Green Bay this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $42,677. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,619. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for sustainability science. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $60,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $24,205. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $59,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,813. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #8 spot for sustainability science value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,053. Sustainability Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in sustainability science this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #11 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the sustainability science program here. Sustainability Science graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $23,530. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $54,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

13

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $16,616. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

14

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #14 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $57,588. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.