Sustainability Studies Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Sustainability Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $55,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Sustainability Studies Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$276,572
Lifetime earnings premium ($377,400) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Sustainability Studies
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Sustainability Studies in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sustainability Studies Job Titles
Sustainability Studies in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Medford
International Relations
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$53K 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
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.