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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

30 Colleges in the United States
$21,925 Avg Student Debt
$66,376 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability studies education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 278 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sustainability studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the United States

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

Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among sustainability studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $15,250. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #2 place for sustainability studies. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $31,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Florida International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $17,379 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $28,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,836. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,115. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $30,548. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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6

West Virginia University landed the #6 spot for sustainability studies value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $50,678. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

8

Coastal Carolina University placed #8 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

9

Montclair State University came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $41,445. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

University Of California Riverside landed the #10 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,045. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $30,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #11 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $30,229. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #12 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,861. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #14 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,205. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $59,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #15 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,138. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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16

University Of Louisville landed the #16 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,910. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

17
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo placed #17 among the best values for sustainability studies. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. That is a strong return on a $20,976 median debt. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.

18

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in sustainability studies this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,053. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

19

Iowa State University landed the #19 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

20

Western Washington University landed the #20 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $19,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,600. Set against $19,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.

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Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #21 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,537. Sustainability Studies graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

22
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #22 among the best values for sustainability studies. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

23

The University Of Tennessee landed the #23 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,859. Sustainability Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

24

George Mason University landed the #24 spot for sustainability studies value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. 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 studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,329. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #25 spot for sustainability studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $18,636. Sustainability Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $35,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sustainability studies:

26
27
28
29
30
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
31
32
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA
33
34
35
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA
36
37
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
38
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
39
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
40
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Other Sustainability Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value sustainability studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Sustainability Studies
Associate's Degrees in Sustainability Studies
Master's Degrees in Sustainability Studies
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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 278 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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