Best institutions to study Environmental Science
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management.
635 U.S. institutions graduated 10,966 Environmental Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0104, a specialization of Natural Resources Conservation and Research (CIP 03.01), and leads most directly to the Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupation (BLS SOC 19-2041).
About Environmental Science programs
A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.
See also: 26.1305 - Environmental Biology., 26.1307 - Conservation Biology., 14.1401 - Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental Science program, focusing on Natural Resources Conservation and Research, equips students with the knowledge to address environmental challenges. It combines biological, chemical, and physical principles to study the physical environment and develop solutions for issues such as pollution and resource management. This program is ideal for those passionate about sustainability and environmental protection.
Students will gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically includes biology, chemistry, physics, and geosciences, preparing graduates to monitor environmental conditions and recommend solutions to environmental problems.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree8,945 graduates / yr · 484 institutions82%
- Master's degree1,116 graduates / yr · 114 institutions10%
- Associate's degree459 graduates / yr · 100 institutions4.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship266 graduates / yr · 46 institutions2.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year135 graduates / yr · 21 institutions1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate23 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years15 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Environmental Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,686 |
| 2013 | 6,750 |
| 2014 | 7,101 |
| 2015 | 7,222 |
| 2016 | 7,575 |
| 2017 | 7,756 |
| 2018 | 8,226 |
| 2019 | 8,635 |
| 2020 | 9,111 |
| 2021 | 9,017 |
| 2022 | 9,202 |
| 2023 | 9,702 |
| 2024 | 10,417 |
| 2025 | 10,966 |
Top 50 institutions for Environmental Science, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 504 | 43% | $34,565 | $43,868 |
| 2 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 304 | 57% | $10,199 | $50,260 |
| 3 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 197 | 70% | — | $39,479 |
| 4 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 180 | 77% | — | $36,048 |
| 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 171 | 85% | — | $35,867 |
| 6 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 136 | 79% | — | $26,871 |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 131 | 86% | — | $38,954 |
| 8 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 130 | 88% | — | $39,545 |
| 9 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 125 | 93% | — | $31,944 |
| 10 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 124 | 85% | — | $33,132 |
| 11 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 122 | 65% | — | $30,899 |
| 12 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 116 | 85% | — | $31,369 |
| 13 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 112 | 57% | — | $36,745 |
| 14 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 110 | 86% | — | $30,146 |
| 15 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 110 | 95% | $17,613 | $41,621 |
| 16 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 104 | 71% | — | $28,935 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 53% | — | $26,931 |
| 18 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 93 | 91% | — | $33,976 |
| 19 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 89 | 91% | $18,925 | $51,137 |
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 84 | 85% | — | $32,948 |
| 21 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 81 | 96% | — | $41,790 |
| 22 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 49% | — | $29,917 |
| 23 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 80 | 57% | — | $31,028 |
| 24 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 93% | — | $47,338 |
| 25 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 79 | 53% | — | $31,512 |
| 26 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 78 | 73% | $33,454 | $30,797 |
| 27 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 78 | 55% | — | $39,297 |
| 28 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 78 | 50% | — | $28,188 |
| 29 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 77 | 83% | — | $33,759 |
| 30 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 73 | 68% | — | $43,038 |
| 31 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 68 | 83% | — | $29,690 |
| 32 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 65 | 49% | — | $41,547 |
| 33 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 61% | — | $31,097 |
| 34 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 61 | 56% | — | $37,308 |
| 35 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 60 | 75% | — | $37,890 |
| 36 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 60 | 72% | — | $30,200 |
| 37 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 58 | 68% | — | $30,645 |
| 38 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 58 | 80% | — | $31,655 |
| 39 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 58 | 84% | — | $36,266 |
| 40 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 58 | 90% | — | $28,824 |
| 41 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 56 | 55% | — | $29,414 |
| 42 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 55 | 40% | — | $37,497 |
| 43 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 54 | 71% | — | $33,091 |
| 44 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 53 | 84% | $26,035 | — |
| 45 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 53 | 61% | — | $36,481 |
| 46 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 53 | 82% | — | $28,155 |
| 47 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 51 | 69% | — | $33,870 |
| 48 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 51 | 86% | — | $39,361 |
| 49 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 50 | 76% | — | $34,090 |
| 50 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 50 | 89% | — | $41,152 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Natural Resources Conservation and Research field (CIP 03.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 53 states & territories
Where Environmental Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Natural Resources Conservation and Research programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2041, Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Environmental Science program can pursue careers as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Compliance Officers, and Environmental Science Teachers, among others. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.4% and about 8,500 annual openings. The median wage for this field is approximately $80,060, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0104
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Healthprimary SOC 19-2041 | $82,220 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Compliance Officers SOC 13-1041 | $80,730 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~33,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health SOC 19-4042 | $55,090 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Associate's degree |
Forest and Conservation Technicians SOC 19-4071 | $54,560 | -3.2% Decline | ~3,900 | Associate's degree |
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1053 | $94,980 | +2.9% About as fast as average | ~700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Environmental Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
- Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
- Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, support, coordination, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Process and review environmental permits, licenses, or related materials.
Tools and technology used
Other Natural Resources Conservation and Research specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Natural Resources Conservation and Research (CIP 03.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Associate's, or Doctor's degree in Environmental Science.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Environmental Scientist, Compliance Officer, or Environmental Science Teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4% and 8,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Environmental Science?+
Environmental Science is CIP 03.0104 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Natural Resources Conservation and Research (CIP 03.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.
How many institutions offer Environmental Science programs?+
635 U.S. institutions reported Environmental Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 53 states & territories, awarding 10,966 credentials in the year. That is 45.8% of all Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates.
How much do Environmental Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupation, which Environmental Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $82,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Natural Resources Conservation and Research field report median earnings of $33,976 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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