Best Schools for Sustainability Studies

Sustainability Studies graduates earn a median of $60,187 within four years of graduating, ranking #140 out of 283 tracked majors — 4% below the median across all fields. There are 20 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 297 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates earn $85,545 while Montana State University graduates earn $41,979 — a $43,566 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Sustainability Studies graduates see an average 10% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$60,187

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#140

of 283 Majors

297

Graduates

Public vs Private: Sustainability Studies

Public (15 schools)

$60,139

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (5 schools)

$63,188

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $3,049 more in early earnings on average for Sustainability Studies graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Sustainability Studies by State

Also by state: California, Colorado, Ohio

Top Sustainability Studies Schools by Graduate Earnings

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$85,545

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $46,855 (20)

Acceptance: 4.2%

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Platteville, WI · Public

$73,238

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 87.3%

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$63,604

4yr Earnings

24 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 43.7%

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, NH · Public

$62,388

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $39,752 (17)

Acceptance: 86.9%

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$61,216

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,060 (15)

1yr: $33,709 (29)

Acceptance: 88.8%

Aquinas College

Grand Rapids, MI · Private

$60,285

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

2yr: $38,871 (14)

Acceptance: 71.1%

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

Stockton University

Galloway, NJ · Public

$59,472

4yr Earnings

17 grads · small sample

2yr: $25,194 (16)

Acceptance: 88.2%

#11

University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public

SUNY Oneonta

Oneonta, NY · Public

$55,148

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 70.2%

#13

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$54,430

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 29.1%

#14

Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY · Private

$43,733

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 70.6%

#15

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public

$41,979

4yr Earnings

18 grads · small sample

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO · Public

$30,771

2yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

$26,933

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.3%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Security Science and Technology $36,960 Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies $36,694 Legal Professions and Studies, Other $36,382 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other $36,361 International Relations and National Security Studies $36,273 Agricultural Public Services $36,020

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Sustainability Studies?

Columbia University in the City of New York ranks #1 for Sustainability Studies with median graduate earnings of $85,545 within four years of graduating. There are 20 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Sustainability Studies graduates earn?

Sustainability Studies graduates earn an average of $60,187 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $41,979 to $85,545 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Sustainability Studies program?

The average acceptance rate across Sustainability Studies programs is 70.1%. The most selective program is at Columbia University in the City of New York with a 4.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Sustainability Studies?

Private Sustainability Studies programs average $63,188 in early earnings vs $60,139 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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