Best colleges for Sustainability Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Sustainability Studies by graduate earnings are Columbia University ($53,957), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($50,678) and Western Washington University ($41,600), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Columbia University (New York, NY): $53,957, 367 graduates a year
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL): $50,678, 107 graduates a year
- Western Washington University (Bellingham, WA): $41,600, 65 graduates a year
- Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ): $41,445, 33 graduates a year
- George Mason University (Fairfax, VA): $39,329, 34 graduates a year
Compare 226 U.S. colleges offering Sustainability Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.
Sustainability Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,329 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.33 and the Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupation (BLS SOC).
About Sustainability Studies programs
Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program focused on the principles and practices of sustainability and sustainable development. This program is ideal for students interested in addressing environmental challenges through a blend of disciplines, including geography, environmental policy, and sociology. It prepares students to engage with complex sustainability issues in various contexts.
Students in Sustainability Studies develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often covers topics like ecology, urban planning, and natural resource management, equipping students with the knowledge needed to analyze and address environmental concerns.
Top 20 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,957 | 367 | 96% | $15,315 | $18,070 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,678 | 107 | 85% | — | $19,500 |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,600 | 65 | 65% | — | $19,086 |
| 4 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,445 | 33 | 65% | — | — |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,329 | 34 | 68% | — | $25,000 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,261 | 71 | 91% | — | $15,250 |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,255 | 118 | 89% | — | $18,636 |
| 8 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,548 | 84 | 62% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,229 | 144 | 65% | — | $23,000 |
| 10 | Florida International University Miami, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,997 | 42 | 74% | — | $17,379 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $59,456 | 14 | 86% | — | $23,125 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $59,456 | 1 | 34% | — | $23,125 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $59,089 | 9 | 56% | — | $24,205 |
| 14 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,076 | 12 | 51% | — | — |
| 15 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,679 | 1 | 59% | — | — |
| 16 | Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,734 | 19 | 27% | — | $11,000 |
| 17 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,698 | 15 | 76% | — | $20,045 |
| 18 | Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,399 | 1 | 65% | $16,718 | — |
| 19 | Montana State University Bozeman, MT Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,296 | 10 | 57% | — | — |
| 20 | Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $18,954 | 17 | 63% | $23,700 | — |
Top 4 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Certificate | $49,789 | 76 | 90% | — | $20,033 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate | $40,485 | 83 | 85% | — | $25,500 |
| 3 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Certificate | $34,699 | 64 | 75% | — | $21,425 |
| 4 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA Public · Certificate Small program | $25,169 | 7 | 66% | — | $26,000 |
Specializations within Sustainability Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.33 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 46 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2041, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Sustainability Studies can pursue a range of careers in environmental policy, resource management, and urban planning. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 8,500 annual openings. A typical entry-level position requires a Bachelor's degree, with a median wage of $80,060.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Sustainability Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.33.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.33 (Sustainability Studies) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 19-2041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healthprimary |
| 19-3051 | Urban and Regional Planners |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4042 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health |
| 25-1053 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Sustainability Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
Common questions
What is Sustainability Studies?+
Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines sustainability principles and practices.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work in environmental policy, resource management, and urban planning.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about average, with a growth rate of 4.4% and 8,500 annual openings.
How much do Sustainability Studies graduates earn?+
Sustainability Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,329, College Scorecard (2019); the Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupation pays about $91,680 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Sustainability Studies?+
Sustainability Studies maps to CIP 30.33 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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