Best colleges for Environmental Design
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Environmental Design by graduate earnings are Auburn University ($44,929), Bowling Green State University ($43,843) and University of Colorado Boulder ($42,401), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL): $44,929, 34 graduates a year
- Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH): $43,843, 30 graduates a year
- University of Colorado Boulder (Boulder, CO): $42,401, 172 graduates a year
- University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY): $37,952, 56 graduates a year
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, HI): $37,849, 38 graduates a year
Compare 47 U.S. colleges offering Environmental Design by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 28 states.
Environmental Design programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,401 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 04.04 and the Interior Designers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Environmental Design programs
The Environmental Design program focuses on creating spaces that enhance the natural, social, cultural, and physical environments. This field of study is essential for students interested in architecture and related services, emphasizing the importance of environmental considerations in design. Students will learn to address various environmental parameters while devising plans, policies, and products.
In this program, students develop critical skills in design, customer service, and building construction. Coursework includes the use of computer-aided drafting (CAD) software, research on health and safety codes, and practical applications of space planning and interior design principles.
Top 6 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,929 | 34 | 82% | — | $25,375 |
| 2 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,843 | 30 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,401 | 172 | 74% | — | $23,641 |
| 4 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,952 | 56 | 75% | — | $19,669 |
| 5 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,849 | 38 | 64% | — | $22,047 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,226 | 22 | 68% | — | $20,500 |
Specializations within Environmental Design
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 04.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Environmental Design/CIP 04.0401
Architecture 700 graduates / yr42 institutions28 states - Sustainable Design/CIP 04.0403
Architecture New in CIP 2020partial data44 graduates / yr3 institutions2 states - Healthcare Environment Design/CIP 04.0402
Architecture New in CIP 2020limited data21 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - Environmental DesignCIP 04.0499New in CIP 2020limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 28 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabamalimited | 1 | $44,929 | Auburn University |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | $43,843 | Bowling Green State University |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | $42,401 | University of Colorado Boulder |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | $37,952 | University at Buffalo |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | $37,849 | University of Hawaii at Manoa |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | $37,226 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 3 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 6 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1025, Interior Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Environmental Design program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 7,800 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $63,490, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Environmental Design
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 04.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 04.04 (Environmental Design) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-1011 | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval |
| 17-1012 | Landscape Architects |
| 19-3051 | Urban and Regional Planners |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1025 | Interior Designersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Environmental Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
- Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
- Confer with client to determine factors affecting planning of interior environments, such as budget, architectural preferences, purpose, and function.
- Advise client on interior design factors, such as space planning, layout and use of furnishings or equipment, and color coordination.
- Coordinate with other professionals, such as contractors, architects, engineers, and plumbers, to ensure job success.
Common questions
What is Environmental Design?+
Environmental Design is the process of creating spaces that enhance the surrounding environment, considering factors like safety, aesthetics, and functionality.
What skills will I learn?+
Students will gain skills in critical thinking, design, active listening, and the use of CAD software.
What are the career prospects?+
The field is expected to grow by 3.2%, with around 7,800 job openings annually.
What education is required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Environmental Design.
How much do Environmental Design graduates earn?+
Environmental Design graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,401, College Scorecard (2019); the Interior Designers occupation pays about $74,540 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Environmental Design?+
Environmental Design maps to CIP 04.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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