Compare 6 Sustainability Studies. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $46,353.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sustainability Studies tells a different story. Across 6 programs, earnings range from $18,954 to $74,682—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Columbia University's Sustainability Studies program leads with graduates earning $74,682, nearly four times the field's minimum. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus follows at $59,456, while the University of New Hampshire produces graduates earning $43,090. The average across programs is $46,353, but this wide range proves individual program evaluation beats institutional assumptions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Columbia graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 5.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Penn State offers a 9.3% student burden but families face 25.7% when parent loans are included, demonstrating why the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $74,682
Strong outcomes ($59,456) with 80% acceptance
5.7% payment burden | Excellent
16.2% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $74,682 | 45 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $59,456 | 23 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | High | |
| #3 | $43,090 | 22 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #4 | $41,445 | 20 | $22,000 | Manageable | $24,693 | High | |
| #5 | Stockton UniversityPublic | $40,488 | 12 | $20,500 | Manageable | $23,182 | High |
| #6 | Chatham UniversityPrivate | $18,954 | 16 | $23,250 | High | $31,699 | 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 →
