Best colleges for Geography and Environmental Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 70 U.S. colleges offering Geography and Environmental Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 37 states.
About Geography and Environmental Studies programs
The Geography and Environmental Studies program is a multidisciplinary field that explores the intricate relationship between humans and the environment. This program is designed for students interested in understanding complex environmental issues through the integration of physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It prepares graduates to address contemporary challenges in both natural and built environments.
Students in this program develop essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and data analysis. Coursework typically covers geography, ecology, environmental science, and public policy, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of environmental systems and human interactions.
Top 70 institutions, 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.
Specializations within Geography and Environmental Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.44 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 37 states
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 | 2 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Florida | 4 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Ohio | 5 | — | — |
| Oklahoma | 3 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Utah | 4 | — | — |
| Virginia | 3 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 4 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3092, Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geography and Environmental Studies program may pursue various careers, although the field is projected to experience a decline of 3.1%. There are approximately 100 annual job openings, with a median wage of $97,200. A typical requirement for entry-level positions is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Geography and Environmental Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.44.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.44 (Geography and Environmental Studies) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1031 | Conservation Scientists |
| 19-2041 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health |
| 19-3092 | Geographersprimary |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4042 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health |
| 25-1053 | Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1064 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Geography and Environmental Studies 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
- Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Teach geography.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
Common questions
What is Geography and Environmental Studies?+
It is a multidisciplinary program that examines human interaction with the environment, integrating various fields of study.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will enhance skills in writing, critical thinking, data analysis, and geographical information systems.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
While the field is projected to decline, there are about 100 annual job openings with a median wage of $97,200.
What level of education is required for this program?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
What is the CIP code for Geography and Environmental Studies?+
Geography and Environmental Studies maps to CIP 30.44 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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