Sustainability Studies Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Sustainability Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Sustainability Studies has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Environmental Policy and Lifecycle Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Frederick is approximately $56,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Sustainability Studies Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$277,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($382,500) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Sustainability Studies
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Sustainability Studies in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sustainability Studies Job Titles
Sustainability Studies in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$60K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Frederick
International Relations
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies Degree in Frederick — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Sustainability Studies ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Frederick.