Sustainability Studies Degree in Silver Spring, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Sustainability Studies degree analysis for Silver Spring, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$83K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Silver Spring
Cost of Living
122.5
index (100 = avg)
Sustainability Studies in Silver Spring, MD Overview
While Silver Spring has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Sustainability Studies students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,215/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 Silver Spring is approximately $61,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,215/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
75%
Sustainability Studies Salary in Silver Spring (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Silver Spring's cost of living index of 122.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sustainability Studies salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Silver Spring adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Sustainability Studies ROI Calculator for Silver Spring
Estimate your return on investment for a Sustainability Studies degree using local Silver Spring tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Silver Spring avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,060
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,375
vs HS diploma in Silver Spring
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Silver Spring
$316,440
Lifetime earnings premium ($416,500) minus total education cost ($100,060)
Student Loan Payoff for Sustainability Studies in Silver Spring
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Silver Spring for Sustainability Studies
Silver Spring State University
public
$10,864/yr
$43,456 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Silver Spring Community College
$5,576/yr
Top Employers for Sustainability Studies in Silver Spring
Silver Spring offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sustainability Studies graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Silver Spring 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
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
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 Silver Spring
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$54K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies Degree in Silver Spring — 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 Silver Spring.