Compare 5 Sustainability Studies. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $46,243.
Sustainability Studies programs produce graduates earning between $26,933 and $59,089—a $32K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 5 ranked programs in the Midwest, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Sustainability Studies program leads with graduates earning $59,089, well above the $46,243 regional average. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows at $50,678, while Miami University-Oxford delivers $47,260—proving that specialized regional programs can outperform prestigious institutions in focused fields.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Wisconsin-Platteville graduates borrow $21,977 and face just an 8.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. When parent loans are included, the family burden rises to 14.7%, still manageable compared to other programs where family debt exceeds 25% of discretionary income.
Highest program earnings: $59,089
Strong outcomes with 87% acceptance rate
8.3% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
14.7% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $59,089 | 13 | $21,977 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $50,678 | 41 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #3 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $47,260 | 31 | $23,000 | Manageable | $34,512 | High |
| #4 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | $47,255 | 8 | $23,000 | Manageable | $24,361 | High |
| #5 | Roosevelt UniversityPrivate | $26,933 | 12 | $22,000 | High | $27,213 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
