Sustainability Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sustainability science programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 278 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sustainability science students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Sustainability Science School
The sustainability science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Sustainability Science rankings. For our Best Overall Sustainability Science 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sustainability Science Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for sustainability science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 71 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability science program make about $75,703 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
See the full sustainability science program report for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong sustainability science program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $60,004 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sustainability science, ranking #3. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Get the full sustainability science details for Northwestern University
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sustainability science, landing the #4 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 37 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability science program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Stanford University
Students looking for a strong sustainability science program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 153 sustainability science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
See the full sustainability science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Cornell University placed #6 among the best sustainability science schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 53 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
Get the full sustainability science details for Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability science program at University Of Maryland College Park
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 327 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $70,213. Typical student debt for the program is $18,070.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #9 among the best sustainability science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from University Of Virginia Main Campus
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 18 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
Get the full sustainability science details for Carnegie Mellon University
Harvard University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 379 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the sustainability science program at Harvard University
Vanderbilt University came in at #12 for sustainability science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Sustainability Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full sustainability science program report for Vanderbilt University
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #13 position for sustainability science this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability science program make about $65,944 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability science program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Barnard College earned the #14 position for sustainability science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barnard College awarded about 13 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
Get the full sustainability science details for Barnard College
Johns Hopkins University came in at #15 for sustainability science this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 24 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability science program make about $84,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Johns Hopkins University
Georgetown University earned the #16 position for sustainability science this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 44 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability science program at Georgetown University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for sustainability science this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 122 sustainability science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,255. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $18,636 in student loans.
Read more about the sustainability science program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Wake Forest University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 16 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Wake Forest University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science 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%. About 48 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Sustainability Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree.
See the full sustainability science program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Georgia placed #20 among the best sustainability science schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,789 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,033.
See the full sustainability science program report for University Of Georgia
Furman University landed the #21 spot for sustainability science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Greenville. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 sustainability science degrees were awarded at Furman University in the most recent year. Sustainability Science graduates of Furman University earn a median of $36,520 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,764.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Furman University
University Of Miami ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 17 sustainability science degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Sustainability Science graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from University Of Miami
Stevens Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for sustainability science this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 sustainability science students who graduated with this degree at Stevens Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Stevens Institute Of Technology earn around $87,055 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,767.
Get the full sustainability science details for Stevens Institute Of Technology
Tufts University landed the #24 spot for sustainability science this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 18 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sustainability science degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans.
Get the full sustainability science details for Tufts University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best sustainability science schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 14 sustainability science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability science degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sustainability science from Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Rest of the Top 50 Sustainability Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for sustainability science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 278 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).
