Best institutions to study Environmental Studies
A program that focuses on environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination.
470 U.S. institutions graduated 9,602 Environmental Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 03.0103, 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 Studies programs
A program that focuses on environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination. Includes instruction in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science and related subjects such as policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
See also: 14.1401 - Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering., 30.4401 - Geography and Environmental Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental Studies program, focusing on Natural Resources Conservation and Research, addresses environment-related issues through scientific, social scientific, and humanistic approaches. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the interactions between human beings and nature, as well as the policies and practices that influence environmental conservation.
Students in this program gain core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically covers ecology, environmental science, policy, and pollution control, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to address complex environmental challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree7,264 graduates / yr · 376 institutions76%
- Master's degree1,427 graduates / yr · 76 institutions15%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year406 graduates / yr · 20 institutions4.2%
- Associate's degree232 graduates / yr · 49 institutions2.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship135 graduates / yr · 20 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate124 graduates / yr · 21 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Environmental Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,183 |
| 2013 | 7,121 |
| 2014 | 7,239 |
| 2015 | 7,543 |
| 2016 | 7,718 |
| 2017 | 7,394 |
| 2018 | 8,652 |
| 2019 | 8,731 |
| 2020 | 9,018 |
| 2021 | 9,079 |
| 2022 | 9,288 |
| 2023 | 9,497 |
| 2024 | 9,308 |
| 2025 | 9,602 |
Top 50 institutions for Environmental Studies, 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 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 353 | 83% | — | $33,759 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 301 | 90% | — | $28,824 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 297 | 74% | — | $30,747 |
| 4 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 204 | 93% | — | $47,338 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 197 | 96% | $27,025 | $32,909 |
| 6 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 189 | 75% | — | $29,152 |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 155 | 68% | — | $40,476 |
| 8 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 154 | 79% | — | $26,871 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 148 | 0% | — | $40,476 |
| 10 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 144 | 21% | $15,478 | $44,590 |
| 11 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 129 | 85% | — | $35,867 |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 127 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 13 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 126 | 72% | — | $30,200 |
| 14 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 125 | 86% | — | $38,954 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 118 | 78% | — | $33,700 |
| 16 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 118 | 93% | — | $29,264 |
| 17 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, ALPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 117 | 33% | $15,554 | $74,546 |
| 18 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 116 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 19 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master'sBachelor's | 104 | 65% | — | — |
| 20 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 101 | 97% | $16,260 | $28,121 |
| 21 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 80% | — | $31,655 |
| 22 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 84 | 75% | — | $27,631 |
| 23 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 84 | 91% | $20,918 | $46,758 |
| 24 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 77 | 69% | — | $34,374 |
| 25 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 76 | 87% | — | $36,304 |
| 26 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 74 | 61% | — | $31,097 |
| 27 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 74 | 75% | $30,225 | $46,780 |
| 28 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 72 | 81% | — | $37,170 |
| 29 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 71 | 91% | $18,925 | $51,137 |
| 30 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 68 | 86% | — | $37,524 |
| 31 | Antioch University - New England Keene, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 67 | — | — | — |
| 32 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor's | 64 | 76% | — | $34,090 |
| 33 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor's | 64 | 84% | — | $36,266 |
| 34 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 67% | — | $32,118 |
| 35 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 62 | 64% | — | $34,020 |
| 36 | Stockton University Galloway, NJPublicBachelor's | 61 | 69% | — | $33,224 |
| 37 | Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 60 | 66% | $31,022 | $25,709 |
| 38 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 59 | 63% | — | $32,038 |
| 39 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 57 | 75% | — | $34,417 |
| 40 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 56 | 65% | — | $30,899 |
| 41 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 56 | 57% | — | $34,875 |
| 42 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 43 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 53 | 75% | — | — |
| 44 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 59% | — | $30,249 |
| 45 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 49 | 94% | $23,570 | $40,044 |
| 46 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 47 | 79% | — | $35,081 |
| 47 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 70% | $37,121 | $38,949 |
| 48 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 82% | — | $28,155 |
| 49 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CAPublicBachelor's | 45 | 59% | — | $30,712 |
| 50 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 44 | 66% | — | — |
* 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 51 states & territories
Where Environmental Studies 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 Studies program can pursue careers as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Compliance Officers, or Environmental Science Teachers. The job outlook for these roles is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 8,500 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $80,060, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 03.0103
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 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 Studies 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 degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis, writing, and communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Environmental Scientist, Compliance Officer, or Environmental Science Teacher.
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 Studies?+
Environmental Studies is CIP 03.0103 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 environment-related issues using scientific, social scientific, or humanistic approaches or a combination. Includes instruction in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science and related subjects such as policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, natural resources, and the interactions of human beings and nature.
How many institutions offer Environmental Studies programs?+
470 U.S. institutions reported Environmental Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 9,602 credentials in the year. That is 40.1% of all Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduates.
How much do Environmental Studies 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 Studies 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 $33,759 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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