Ranking
Best Sustainability Studies Colleges in California 2026
Stanford University leads this ROI ranking with a A+ value grade and a 22.47 ROI score. EduGradify ranks 9 colleges here by earnings against net price.
9 California colleges offering Sustainability Studies, ranked by EduGradify value grade.
- Schools ranked
- 9
- Cheapest net price
- $12,548
- Top earnings 10y
- $124,080
- Public / Private
- 4 / 5
Stanford University
A+- ROI score
- 22.47
- Net price
- $13,807
- Earnings 10y
- $124,080
- Acceptance
- 3.6%
University of California-Berkeley
A+- ROI score
- 17.14
- Net price
- $13,481
- Earnings 10y
- $92,446
- Acceptance
- 11%
University of California-Los Angeles
A+- ROI score
- 16.44
- Net price
- $12,548
- Earnings 10y
- $82,511
- Acceptance
- 9%
University of California-Davis
A- ROI score
- 13.71
- Net price
- $14,741
- Earnings 10y
- $80,838
- Acceptance
- 41.8%
University of California-Riverside
A- ROI score
- 11.83
- Net price
- $14,304
- Earnings 10y
- $67,699
- Acceptance
- 76.4%
University of Southern California
C- ROI score
- 7.06
- Net price
- $32,740
- Earnings 10y
- $92,498
- Acceptance
- 9.8%
California Baptist University
C- ROI score
- 5.85
- Net price
- $26,285
- Earnings 10y
- $61,504
- Acceptance
- 84.9%
Pitzer College
D- ROI score
- 5.08
- Net price
- $34,191
- Earnings 10y
- $69,512
- Acceptance
- 25.2%
Pepperdine University
D- ROI score
- 3.57
- Net price
- $58,098
- Earnings 10y
- $82,939
- Acceptance
- 62.9%
How we picked this list
This list starts with California schools with positive Sustainability Studies program-share evidence, then sorts by EduGradify's school-wide ROI proxy: ten-year median earnings weighed against average net price. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 11.46 (4 public, 5 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Stanford University in Stanford, CA tops this ranking. EduGradify value grade is A+.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by roi score using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many California colleges are in this list?
9 California colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.