Best colleges for Sustainability Studies in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Berkeley, Stanford University and University of Southern California award the most Sustainability Studies degrees and certificates in California: 57, 23 and 22 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 California colleges offer Sustainability Studies and award 142 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program focused on the principles and practices of sustainability and sustainable development. This program is ideal for students interested in addressing environmental challenges…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,698 | 15 | 76% | — | $20,045 |
Colleges awarding the most Sustainability Studies degrees in California
Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 57 | Not reported |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 22 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 15 | $30,698 |
| 5 | Pepperdine University Malibu Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 6 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Redlands Redlands Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 8 | California Baptist University Riverside Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 California colleges offering Sustainability Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Lincoln University (Online) | Claremont | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health (SOC 19-2041).
Top skills
What Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Sustainability Studies programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Sustainability Studies degrees?+
University of California-Berkeley (57 graduates a year), Stanford University (23 graduates a year) and University of Southern California (22 graduates a year) award the most Sustainability Studies degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 California colleges offer Sustainability Studies.
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in California is $112,360 (median $106,510), across about 12,490 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Sustainability Studies program?+
Sustainability Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program focused on the principles and practices of sustainability and sustainable development. This program is ideal for students interested in addressing environmental challenges…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 8,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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