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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sustainability Studies Schools in Illinois

3 Colleges in the United States
288 Sustainability Studies Degrees Awarded
$60,619 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sustainability Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sustainability studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sustainability Studies in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sustainability studies education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Sustainability Studies

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sustainability studies. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 46 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the sustainability studies program at Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 15 sustainability studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. More information about a degree in sustainability studies from Illinois Institute Of Technology

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for sustainability studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sustainability studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $52,963. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sustainability studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 87 sustainability studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sustainability studies program make about $42,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. See the full sustainability studies program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sustainability studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 sustainability studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Sustainability Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $57,588 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Get the full sustainability studies details for Depaul University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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