2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Colorado

[Sustainability Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/sustainability-science/sustainability-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for sustainability studies students.
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2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in Colorado
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
Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in sustainability studies in Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $31,734. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mesa State College one of the best values for sustainability studies. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Northern Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,974. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $42,076. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $26,582. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $66,022. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,693. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Regis University landed the #6 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $31,773. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $72,028. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Denver landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
More Sustainability Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.