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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$22,014 Avg Student Debt
$77,104 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Badge [Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sustainability studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sustainability studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools

1
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny City College the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $70,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

3

Students looking for strong value in sustainability studies will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $84,850. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #4 place for sustainability studies. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Sustainability Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $41,445 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

5
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,976. Sustainability Studies graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.

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6
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #6 for value in sustainability studies this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $18,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $70,213. Set against $18,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

8

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #8 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,490. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #9 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $65,944. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

10
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College came in at #10 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Students borrow a median of $26,962 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $34,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University landed the #11 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,496. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.

12
Chatham University crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University came in at #12 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,001. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $18,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.

13

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in sustainability studies this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

14

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #14 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $40,485. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

15

Carnegie Mellon University landed the #15 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

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16

Cornell University earned the #16 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $15,005. Sustainability Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

17
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #17 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,897. Sustainability Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

18
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College earned the #18 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $17,609. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Set against $17,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

19
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University placed #19 among the best values for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.

20

Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #20 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,462. Students borrow a median of $26,767 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $87,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.

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21
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main placed #21 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $38,569 early in their careers. Set against $25,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

22
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #22 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $24,460. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $38,468. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 65 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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