2026 Best Value Sustainability Science Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,289. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

#2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #2 on this year's best-value Sustainability Science ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,054. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report

#2

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Norman, OK

A rank of #2 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values in the United States. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report

#4

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $18,070. Columbia University In The City Of New York alumni report median earnings of $102,491 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,070 median debt. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#5

University Of Georgia

Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #5 on this year's best-value Sustainability Science ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $20,033. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,033 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. More on University Of Georgia

#6

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,939. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on West Virginia University

#7

Washington University In St Louis

St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $17,553. Washington University In St Louis alumni report median earnings of $86,182 a decade after entry. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis

#8

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northern Arizona University profile

#9

Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science

Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science placed #9 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. See the full Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science profile

#10

Rio Salado College

Rio Salado College placed #10 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Rio Salado College

#11

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report

#12

Texas State University San Marcos

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. More on Texas State University San Marcos

#13

Depaul University

Depaul University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. More on Depaul University

#14

Thomas Jefferson University

Thomas Jefferson University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Thomas Jefferson University report

#15

Saint John Fisher College

Saint John Fisher College placed #15 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Read more about Saint John Fisher College

#16

South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full South Mountain Community College profile

#17

Temple University

Temple University placed #17 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Temple University

#18

Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full Coastal Carolina University profile

#19

Indiana University Kokomo

Indiana University Kokomo landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Indiana University Kokomo

#20

Maharishi University Of Management

Maharishi University Of Management placed #20 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. See the full Maharishi University Of Management profile

#21

Western Washington University

Western Washington University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Western Washington University

#22

Xavier University

Xavier University placed #22 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. More on Xavier University

#23

University Of Wisconsin Parkside

University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Parkside

#24

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University

#25

National University

National University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on National University

#26

University Of Wisconsin River Falls

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin River Falls

#27

Regis University

Regis University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. See the full Regis University profile

#28

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry

Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. See the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry profile

#29

Auburn University

Auburn University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Auburn University report

#30

Champlain College

Champlain College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Champlain College

#31

Chatham University

Chatham University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. More on Chatham University

#32

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southern Methodist University report

#33

Utah State University

Utah State University placed #33 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. More on Utah State University

#34

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia University Ann Arbor placed #34 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Read more about Concordia University Ann Arbor

#35

Fort Berthold Community College

Fort Berthold Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. Get the full Fort Berthold Community College report

#36

California State University East Bay

California State University East Bay landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full California State University East Bay profile

#37

Oregon State University

Oregon State University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Oregon State University

#38

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

#39

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #39 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile

#40

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University

#41

Hofstra University

Hofstra University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. See the full Hofstra University profile

#42

Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Western Oregon University report

#43

Goucher College

Goucher College placed #43 among the best-value Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Goucher College

#44

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Michigan Technological University report

#45

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Southern Oregon University report

#46

Stephen F Austin State University

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Stephen F Austin State University

#47

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Elizabeth City State University

#48

Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Muhlenberg College profile

#49

Northland College

Northland College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Sustainability Science schools. Read more about Northland College

#50

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. More on Stony Brook University