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

36 Colleges in the United States
$22,412 Avg Student Debt
$72,643 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Master's Degree Badge [Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sustainability studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

2
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $70,051. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #3 place for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $14,238. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $75,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,477. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $43,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,115. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $54,806. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $60,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

8
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #8 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,000. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $30,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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11

Montclair State University came in at #11 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #12 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

13

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $55,247. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

14

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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16

Johns Hopkins University landed the #16 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

17

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #17 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

18

Iowa State University landed the #18 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $53,900. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #19 for value in sustainability studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.

20

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

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21

Kansas State University earned the #21 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

22

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #22 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

23
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #24 spot for sustainability studies value 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. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,774. Sustainability Studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

25

University Of Colorado Denver placed #25 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sustainability studies value ranking:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
29
30
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT
31
32
33
34
35
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
36
37
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO
38
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
39
40
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
41
42
Everglades University crest
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL
43
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
44
45
46
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
47
48
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
49
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
50

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
Bachelor'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. 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 · 278 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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