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Sustainability Studies at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
27
Optimistic
26
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,548/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Large (45,900 openings/yr)
ROI 7.5x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 22 Sustainability Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sustainability Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $422K $430K $414K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.4x 7.5x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 26 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,352
Out-of-state: $117,440 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,252
14% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $30,548/yr fall 18% below the $37,053 national median for Sustainability Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Sustainability Studies's typical career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #20 of 22 Sustainability Studies programs, University of Illinois Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago has a 78% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,814 students enrolled in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary $87,710/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 22 schools offering Sustainability Studies →

Sustainability Studies at Other Schools

University of Wisconsin-Platteville ($59,089) Columbia University in the City of New York ($53,957) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($50,678) University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ($43,090) University of Northern Colorado ($42,076) Western Washington University ($41,600) Montclair State University ($41,445) Utah State University ($39,679)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Chicago

Computer Science ($78,040) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,045) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($72,926) Computer Engineering ($71,148) Mechanical Engineering ($69,871) Civil Engineering ($69,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,781) Accounting and Related Services ($65,680)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Sustainability Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sustainability Studies at University of Illinois Chicago?
A score of 26/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sustainability Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Sustainability Studies careers?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $414,336 in decade earnings vs $422,494 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Sustainability Studies from University of Illinois Chicago?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →