Sustainability Studies Degree in High Point, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for High Point, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$57K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in High Point
Cost of Living
84.5
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in High Point, NC Overview
While High Point has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sustainability Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,724/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 High Point is approximately $42,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,724/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,013/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
60%
Sustainability Studies Salary in High Point (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for High Point's cost of living index of 84.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.High Point adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for High Point
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies degree using local High Point tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,200 | Private avg: $34,000
High Point avg aid: $8,013/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,675
vs HS diploma in High Point
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in High Point
$199,604
Lifetime earnings premium ($287,300) minus total education cost ($87,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in High Point
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in High Point for Sustainability Studies
High Point State University
public
$9,967/yr
$39,868 total
University of High Point
public
$9,547/yr
$38,188 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
High Point Community College
$5,591/yr
Top Employers for Sustainability Studies in High Point
High Point offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key High Point Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sustainability Studies Job Titles
Sustainability Studies in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in High Point
International Relations
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$37K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies Degree in High Point — 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 High Point.