2026 Best Sustainability Science Schools
Looking for the best Sustainability Science programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 278 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Sustainability Science Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Presidio Graduate School earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Anselmo, CA. Read more about Presidio Graduate School
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Stanford University Sustainability Science students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read more about Stanford University
Out of the 278 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #3 spot. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $16,155. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #5 makes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute one of the top choices in the United States. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $24,975. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Tufts University placed #6 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Get the full Tufts University report
Bentley University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Located in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,000. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $25,476. More on Bentley University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Sustainability Science students take on a median of $18,070 in debt. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read more about Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $16,481. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Southern California came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #13 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $18,636 in student loans. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Washington University In St Louis came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $17,553. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $25,500. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #17 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Sustainability Science students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Kansas State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Sustainability Science students take on a median of $23,546 in debt. Get the full Kansas State University report
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Read the full report on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Southern Methodist University placed #20 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $20,712. More on Southern Methodist University
Savannah College Of Art And Design placed #21 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Set in Savannah, GA, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,630 in tuition and fees. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $26,346. More on Savannah College Of Art And Design
George Mason University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Get the full George Mason University report
Stony Brook University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Located in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
University Of California Davis placed #24 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $14,404. Read more about University Of California Davis
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Best Sustainability Science Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
American Public University System placed #27 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read more about American Public University System
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. University Of California Los Angeles Sustainability Science students take on a median of $16,097 in debt. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Iowa State University Sustainability Science students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. More on Iowa State University
University Of Florida landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $15,250. Read more about University Of Florida
Washington State University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Read more about Washington State University
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #32 in this year's ranking. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school based in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. University Of Colorado Denver Sustainability Science students take on a median of $26,582 in debt. More on University Of Colorado Denver
New York University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $21,897. See the full New York University profile
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania Sustainability Science students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. More on Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #35 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
College Of Charleston ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Located in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. More on College Of Charleston
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Sustainability Science schools. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Colorado Mountain College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Glenwood Springs, CO, Colorado Mountain College is a public institution. Colorado Mountain College graduates 14% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full Colorado Mountain College profile
University Of Utah landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Durham, NH, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $27,000. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #41 position. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $21,425. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Webster University placed #42 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Webster University graduates 64% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. See the full Webster University profile
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $26,236. See the full University Of Massachusetts Boston profile
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay came in at #44 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public school based in Green Bay, WI. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,477 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #45 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Sustainability Science program here. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Western Washington University placed #46 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. Set in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Graduates carry a median of $19,086 in student loans. See the full Western Washington University profile
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in Superior, WI, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Superior posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Superior Sustainability Science students take on a median of $27,845 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Superior
Arizona State University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $21,842. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Sustainability Science student debt is $25,213. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of Georgia placed #50 among Sustainability Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $20,033. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. The median Sustainability Science program debt is $24,673. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
Best Sustainability Science Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Sustainability Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Sustainability Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 278 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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