Sustainability Studies programs
CIP 3033 · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
32 institutions report graduate earnings for Sustainability Studies programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $64,242 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38× and 78% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 2 of the 34 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of RedlandsCA · Master's | $128,897 n=28 | – | – | – | Above +71% | – |
| 2 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Master's | $123,641 n=68 | 93% 5yr | $61,500 | 0.50× | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkNY · Bachelor's | $85,545 n=21 | 88% 5yr | $18,070 | 0.21× | Above +125% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | The New SchoolNY · Master's | $81,540 n=24 | 77% 5yr | $64,507 | 0.79× | Above +15% | Below 1/2 |
| 5 | DePaul UniversityIL · Master's | $81,457 n=20 | 94% 1yr | – | – | Above +19% | – |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Green BayWI · Master's | $80,935 n=18 | – | – | – | Above +31% | – |
| 7 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Master's | $80,622 n=57 | 97% 1yr | $36,000 | 0.45× | Above +5% | – |
| 8 | CUNY City CollegeNY · Master's | $79,163 n=26 | 80% 5yr | – | – | Above +11% | Below 1/2 |
| 9 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Master's | $76,776 n=46 | 91% 1yr | $43,153 | 0.56× | Above +22% | – |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleWI · Bachelor's | $73,238 n=17 | 85% 1yr | $23,127 | 0.32× | Above +88% | – |
| 11 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Master's | $72,499 n=20 | 82% 1yr | – | – | Above +6% | – |
| 12 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $71,970 n=23 | 70% 1yr | $61,326 | 0.85× | Below -4% | – |
| 13 | Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $70,793 n=31 | 72% 1yr | $19,086 | 0.27× | Above +66% | – |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstMA · Master's | $68,841 n=18 | – | – | – | Below -9% | – |
| 15 | University of GeorgiaGA · UG cert | $67,208 n=19 | 78% 1yr | $17,522 | 0.26× | Above +90% | – |
| 16 | SIT Graduate InstituteVT · Master's | $65,764 n=20 | – | $53,851 | 0.82× | Above +22% | – |
| 17 | University of South FloridaFL · Master's | $64,880 n=57 | 69% 1yr | $29,657 | 0.46× | Above +17% | Below 1/2 |
| 18 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $63,604 n=24 | 70% 1yr | $17,750 | 0.28× | Above +69% | – |
| 19 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNH · Bachelor's | $62,388 n=21 | 65% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.43× | Above +41% | – |
| 20 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · UG cert | $61,805 n=26 | 69% 1yr | $23,125 | 0.37× | Above +64% | – |
| 21 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $61,281 n=55 | 83% 5yr | $15,000 | 0.24× | Above +81% | Clears 2/2 |
| 22 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $61,216 n=23 | 66% 1yr | $24,670 | 0.40× | Above +61% | – |
| 23 | Aquinas CollegeMI · Bachelor's | $60,285 n=18 | – | $24,558 | 0.41× | Above +72% | Clears 2/2 |
| 24 | Miami University-HamiltonOH · Bachelor's | $59,660 n=33 | 95% 5yr | $22,370 | 0.38× | Above +62% | – |
| 25 | Miami University-OxfordOH · Bachelor's | $59,660 n=33 | 95% 5yr | $22,370 | 0.38× | Above +62% | – |
| 26 | Stockton UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $59,472 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 27 | University of California-RiversideCA · Bachelor's | $58,463 n=39 | 55% 1yr | $19,333 | 0.33× | Above +52% | – |
| 28 | University of IowaIA · UG cert | $57,029 n=56 | 78% 5yr | $20,036 | 0.35× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 29 | SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's | $55,148 n=20 | 51% 1yr | $19,008 | 0.34× | Above +45% | – |
| 30 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $54,430 n=18 | 64% 1yr | $17,750 | 0.33× | Above +52% | – |
| 31 | Colorado Mountain CollegeCO · Bachelor's | $52,293 n=48 | 66% 5yr | $10,188 | 0.20× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 32 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaPA · UG cert | $46,999 n=17 | – | $26,000 | 0.55× | Above +25% | – |
| 33 | Hofstra UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $43,733 n=16 | – | – | – | Above +15% | – |
| 34 | Montana State UniversityMT · Bachelor's | $41,979 n=18 | – | $22,808 | 0.54× | Above +21% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $80,352 | 6 |
| Illinois | $72,499 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Sustainability Studies programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Sustainability Studies programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Sustainability Studies programs in this dataset are University of Redlands ($128,897), Columbia University in the City of New York ($123,641), Columbia University in the City of New York ($85,545). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Sustainability Studies programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 2 of the 34 Sustainability Studies programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.