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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southeast Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$22,823 Avg Student Debt
$66,641 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Badge [Sustainability Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability science education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sustainability science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Sustainability Science Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for sustainability science in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $39,261. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #2 place for sustainability science. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $17,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,997. Set against $17,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,033 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $49,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in sustainability science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $43,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

5

West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #5 spot this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

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Coastal Carolina University landed the #6 spot for sustainability science value this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $27,174. Sustainability Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #7 for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the sustainability science program here. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Louisville came in at #8 for value in sustainability science this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $21,910. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

9
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #9 position for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $13,975. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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George Mason University placed #11 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $39,329. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide placed #12 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $76,517. That is a strong return on a $20,787 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #13 spot for sustainability science value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

14

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #14 for value in sustainability science this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #15 among the best values for sustainability science. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,803. Sustainability Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

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Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #16 for value in sustainability science this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,120. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $22,091. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $36,927. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.

17
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #17 position for value in sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.

18
Everglades University crest
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL

Everglades University came in at #18 for value in sustainability science this year. Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $21,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability science graduates is $48,300. Sustainability Science graduates of Everglades University earn a median of $48,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University placed #19 among the best values for sustainability science. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,770. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Sustainability Science graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

20
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #20 among the best values for sustainability science. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Sustainability Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career sustainability science graduates make about $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

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21

Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #21 position for value in sustainability science this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,346 to complete the sustainability science program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

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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 · 55 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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