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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$22,823 Avg Student Debt
$66,641 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sustainability Studies Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 55 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 Southeast Region

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 Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $17,379 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $28,997. That is a strong return on a $17,379 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

3

University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $20,033. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,789 early in their careers. Set against $20,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,829. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $43,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #5 place for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,772. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

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6

Coastal Carolina University landed the #6 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #7 spot for sustainability studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Louisville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $21,910. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $58,534. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.

9
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

10

The University Of Tennessee ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

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George Mason University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $39,329. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

12

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #12 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,097. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide generally make around $76,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #13 for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

14

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #14 among the best values for sustainability studies. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,393. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #15 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Sustainability Studies graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Sewanee The University Of The South landed the #16 spot for sustainability studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $22,091. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

17
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University placed #17 among the best values for sustainability studies. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.

18
Everglades University crest
Everglades University
Boca Raton, FL

Everglades University earned the #18 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Everglades University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $21,680 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $48,300. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from Everglades University generally make around $48,899. Set against $48,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

19
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Typical student debt for sustainability studies graduates is $23,764. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $36,520. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.

20
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami earned the #20 position for value in sustainability studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Sustainability Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sustainability studies schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,630. Students borrow a median of $26,346 to complete the sustainability studies program here. Early-career sustainability studies graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $26,346 median debt. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.

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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 · 55 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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