2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Green Bay the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 studies, landing the #2 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. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $42,677. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #3 place for sustainability studies. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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 studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $60,568. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Platteville one of the best values for sustainability studies. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. 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. Set against $24,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. 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 $52,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #8 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $54,235. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 studies. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,053. Sustainability Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #11 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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 studies schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $54,897. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #13 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

14

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #14 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $57,588 early in their careers. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.