10 Affordable Online Master's in Sustainability Programs 2025

Graduate programs in sustainability can equip students for environmentally responsible roles in different types of industries. Every form of organization, including public and private, has shifted toward more sustainable practices.

Competencies learned within a master's in sustainability program can be applied in the corporate world, academia, or a number of other settings. Continue reading to explore the 10 most affordable programs for sustainability master's degrees.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Sustainability?

An online master's in sustainability is a graduate degree that dives into environmentally focused concepts and initiatives. The most common type of sustainability master's is the Master of Science (MS) degree, although there are other types of sustainability programs.

Core courses typically focus on environmental issues and impacts, resources, sustainable systems, and sustainable problem-solving in the modern world. Many online sustainability master's programs have no on-campus requirements and enable students to complete their degree from anywhere.

How Much Does an Online Master's in Sustainability Cost?

Costs usually depend on the tuition rate and applicable fees. A 30-credit hour program with a tuition rate of $500 would have a total tuition of $15,000. This does not include program fees or any potential financial aid.

Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and search for scholarships through reputable scholarship databases. With the many corporate sustainability challenges that exist, there are many funding opportunities available to students working towards a more environmentally sustainable future.

Cheapest Online Master's in Sustainability Programs

Many graduate schools offer programs in sustainable development and practice, as the need for sustainability professionals grows. Below, we discuss the top schools that offer affordable online sustainability master's degree programs.

1. University of Florida

The University of Florida has two master's in sustainability online programs: an MS in architectural studies with a concentration in sustainable design and an MS in soil, water, and ecosystems sciences, with a concentration in environmental science.

The architectural program provides students with skills in sustainability within design and construction through a three-semester curriculum. The environmental science program consists of 30 credit hours and includes diverse concepts of environmental sustainability for online learners.

• Estimated tuition cost: $112 per credit (in-state); $500 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for some in-house financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student employment opportunities.
• Accreditation: Southern Association for Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Kentucky State University

Kentucky State University offers an MS in environmental studies online that consists of 36 total credit hours and enables students to customize their program with electives. Classes can include community ecology, experimental design, environmental law, and environmental justice. Students can utilize their electives to earn one or two certificates within their program, including on in environmental agriculture and one in environmental policy and decision making.

• Estimated tuition cost: $475 per credit; $275 per credit (military)
• Financial aid: Kentucky State University offers several in-house scholarships as well as resources for external aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin's (UTPB) online MS in energy business has a focus on sustainability. The 33-credit-hour business sustainability master's program includes classes such as energy accounting, energy investments, energy law, and global energy business. UTPB also has an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a certificate in energy business.

• Estimated tuition cost: $275 per credit
• Financial aid: UTPB has several financial aid opportunities, and awards more than $40 million in awards per year.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

4. Unity Environmental University

Unity Environmental University offers several sustainability master's online:

• carbon ecology and management
• climate change adaptation and resilience
• climate-ready business
• environmental data analytics
• marine conservation biology
• sustainable food systems
• wildlife conservation and advocacy

Unity partners with several environmentally focused organizations and provides relevant, real-world knowledge that learners can apply in a variety of industries and occupations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $550 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for the Holt Challenge Scholarship through Unity, as well as use external sources of aid.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

5. University of North Carolina Greensboro

The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) has an online MS in sustainability and environment that allows students to obtain various certificates within their program, including options in sustainability, climate justice, and conservation. Students can customize their program using electives and their choice of capstone assignment. Courses include concepts in sustainability, ethics, environmental sciences, and equity and society.

• Estimated tuition cost: $299 per credit (in-state); $597 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNCG has several institutional scholarship opportunities and provides resources for obtaining additional aid from outside sources.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, Association for Environmental Studies & Sciences, National Council for Science and the Environment, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education

6. Ohio University

Ohio University's online Master of Sustainability, Security, and Resilience (MSSR) can be completed in 18 months of full-time enrollment and includes coursework in climate change mitigation, energy systems, and environmental leadership. Students earn three certificates during the program: planning resilient systems, environmental change management, and community risk and resilience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $344 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can apply for in-house financial aid as well as utilize outside scholarships and other types of aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

7. University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky (UK) offers an MA in applied environmental and sustainability studies that consists of 30 credit hours and gives students the option of a capstone or internship at the end of the program. The sustainability master's degree integrates concepts relating to governance, sustainability, environmental studies, and policies. Online learners complete coursework asynchronously and can customize their curriculum with electives like healthcare inequities, sustainability studies, and historic preservation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $790 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can search and apply for various scholarships through the school's online scholarship database.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Arizona State University

Arizona State University's (ASU) online Master of Sustainability Leadership (MSL) consists of 30 credit hours and is delivered through accelerated course terms. Students develop skills for leading while improving environmental impacts and processes. Coursework combines electives and core classes, which can include strategic sustainability, sustainability transitions, sustainability communications, and transformative leadership in sustainability.

• Estimated tuition cost: $605 per credit
• Financial aid: Students can utilize various forms of financial aid, as well as apply for several of ASU's in-house awards.
• Accreditation: HLC

9. American Public University System

American Public University System (APUS) offers an online MS in environmental policy and management that integrates environmental strategies, economics, and policies. The 36-credit program has four specialization options: global environmental management, environmental sustainability, fish and wildlife management, and environmental planning. Classes include environmental ethics, environmental public policy, and environmental management.

• Estimated tuition cost: $455 per credit
• Financial aid: The APUS financial aid office provides assistance and support for students in finding and obtaining financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers an MBA with a concentration in sustainability and environmental compliance. The program includes 10 classes, including environmental issues, environmental compliance, and energy and society. Students develop knowledge and skills for leading nonprofit, public, or private organizations toward more sustainable operations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $659 per credit
• Financial aid: SNHU assists students with applying for financial aid and provides a scholarship search and matching website.
• Accreditation: NECHE

How We Rank Schools

When we choose schools for our rankings, we review program information and various criteria. Institutional accreditation, cost, program length, and reputation are all key criteria that we consider.

• Accreditation: All of the schools on this list are accredited at the institutional level, meaning they were reviewed by an outside organization and meet various academic standards.
• Affordability: The schools featured offer more affordable tuition rates, all of which are around $700 per credit or less.
• Program reputation: Each of the programs integrates current environmental science with real-world application methods and skills.

What To Expect From an Online Sustainability Master's Degree

The specific curriculum depends on the type of master's in environmental sustainability, as some focus more on leadership while other are more scientifically diverse in nature. Sustainability degree programs often include coursework relating to natural resources, sustainable practices, renewable energy, natural sciences, and sustainability practices.

Most sustainability master's degrees take around two years or less of full-time enrollment to complete, and part-time students may be able to spread their program out over more time. Some programs offer concentrations and/or certificates, providing sustainability professionals with more credentials for their career paths.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Sustainability Master's Programs

The top FAQs about affordable master's in environmental sustainability programs are discussed below. These may help you to get a better idea of what you are looking for in a program, and what features or requirements to expect.

Is an Online Master's in Sustainability Worth It?

Depending on what your career goals are, the answer is most likely a yes. Master's degree graduates in general have a starting salary of more than 20% more than bachelor's graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Sustainability graduates may see a greater difference in earnings due to a higher demand for sustainability professionals.

Is an MBA in Sustainability Worth It?

Society is increasingly concerned with environmental considerations and a master's in sustainability management can be invaluable. Public, private, and nonprofit organizations are constantly seeking ways to improve their sustainable efforts, and may prefer managers with a deeper understanding of sustainability.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Sustainability Degree?

A master's degree in sustainability can be applied across industries and roles, whether you're at the top of an organizational ladder or working on a team. Some examples of occupational titles for sustainability graduates are environmental policy analyst, environmental consultant, and sustainability director.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Master's in Sustainability Online?

Master's degree programs traditionally take two years to complete, although many schools allow students to complete their coursework faster if desired. You can reduce the length of your program by taking more classes per term as well as by transferring in any eligible prior coursework.

Do Careers in Sustainability Pay Well?

Careers in environmental sustainability pay more than the average of all occupations. Environmental specialists and scientists make an average of around $80,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The highest earners work for the federal government, making an average of $113,000 annually.

Discover Online Sustainability Degrees

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