Best institutions to study Environmental Psychology
A program that focuses on the study of behavioral interactions between human beings and the environment in individual and group contexts, and ways to improve them.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 22 Environmental Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2808, a specialization of Clinical (CIP 42.28), and leads most directly to the Psychologists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 19-3039).
About Environmental Psychology programs
A program that focuses on the study of behavioral interactions between human beings and the environment in individual and group contexts, and ways to improve them. Includes instruction in contextual theory; statistics; physiological, social, and psychological responses to natural and technological hazards and disease; environmental perception and cognition; loneliness and stress; and psychological aspects of environmental design and planning.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental Psychology (Clinical) program focuses on understanding the behavioral interactions between individuals and their environments. This field of study examines both individual and group contexts, exploring ways to enhance these interactions for better psychological well-being. It is ideal for students interested in the intersection of psychology and environmental factors, aiming to make a positive impact on mental health through environmental design and planning. Students in this program will delve into various aspects of environmental perception, cognition, and the psychological responses to both natural and technological hazards. This program is suited for those who wish to pursue careers in psychology with a specific emphasis on environmental influences and their effects on human behavior.
Core coursework in the Environmental Psychology (Clinical) program includes contextual theory, statistics, and the study of psychological responses to environmental factors. Students will gain insights into loneliness, stress, and the psychological aspects of environmental design, equipping them with a comprehensive understanding of how environments affect mental health.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Post-master's certificate17 graduates / yr · 2 institutions77%
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution18%
- Bachelor's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.5%
Graduates over time
Environmental Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 53 |
| 2013 | 54 |
| 2014 | 115 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 70 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 22 |
Top 3 institutions for Environmental Psychology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 75% | $27,621 |
| 2 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 8 | 56% | $23,166 |
| 3 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 81% | $28,508 |
Offered in 3 states
Where Environmental Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 1 | 13 | Lewis & Clark College13 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 8 | Prescott College8 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 1 | Whitman College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3039, Psychologists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Environmental Psychology (Clinical) program can pursue various careers, with roles such as Psychologists and Psychology Teachers being common. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.3% and approximately 3,900 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $117,580, typically requiring a Master's degree for most positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 42.2808
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Psychologists, All Otherprimary SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1066 | $80,340 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~4,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Clinical specializations
The 17 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical (CIP 42.28).
- Counseling PsychologyCIP 42.280312,264 graduates / yr277 institutions
- Applied Behavior AnalysisCIP 42.28147,215 graduates / yr143 institutions
- Clinical PsychologyCIP 42.28016,396 graduates / yr205 institutions
- School PsychologyCIP 42.28053,734 graduates / yr205 institutions
- Industrial and Organizational PsychologyCIP 42.28043,169 graduates / yr127 institutions
- Applied PsychologyCIP 42.28132,999 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Forensic PsychologyCIP 42.28122,718 graduates / yr59 institutions
- Educational PsychologyCIP 42.28061,874 graduates / yr84 institutions
- ClinicalCIP 42.2899711 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Family PsychologyCIP 42.2811partial data630 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Community PsychologyCIP 42.2802464 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Health/CIP 42.2810
Medical Psychology 428 graduates / yr25 institutions - Performance and Sport PsychologyCIP 42.2815318 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Clinical Child PsychologyCIP 42.2807partial data101 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Transpersonal/CIP 42.2817
Spiritual Psychology limited data40 graduates / yr1 institutions - GeropsychologyCIP 42.2809limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Somatic Psychology42.2816
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Post-master's certificate, a Master's degree, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are currently 3 colleges offering this program.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most careers in Environmental Psychology typically require a Master's degree.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.3%.
What is the CIP code for Environmental Psychology?+
Environmental Psychology is CIP 42.2808 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical (CIP 42.28). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the study of behavioral interactions between human beings and the environment in individual and group contexts, and ways to improve them. Includes instruction in contextual theory; statistics; physiological, social, and psychological responses to natural and technological hazards and disease; environmental perception and cognition; loneliness and stress; and psychological aspects of environmental design and planning.
How many institutions offer Environmental Psychology programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Environmental Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 3 states, awarding 22 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Clinical graduates.
How much do Environmental Psychology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Psychologists, All Other occupation, which Environmental Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $110,840 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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