Best institutions to study Environmental Health
A program that focuses on the application of environmental sciences, public health, the biomedical sciences, and environmental toxicology to the study of environmental factors affecting human health, safety, and related ecological issues, and prepares individuals to function as professional environmental health specialists.
88 U.S. institutions graduated 1,306 Environmental Health students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2202, a specialization of Public Health (CIP 51.22), and leads most directly to the Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health occupation (BLS SOC 19-2041).
About Environmental Health programs
A program that focuses on the application of environmental sciences, public health, the biomedical sciences, and environmental toxicology to the study of environmental factors affecting human health, safety, and related ecological issues, and prepares individuals to function as professional environmental health specialists. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, toxicology, public policy analysis, public management, risk assessment, communications, environmental law, occupational health and safety emergency response, and applications such as air quality, food protection, radiation protection, solid and hazardous waste management, water quality, soil quality, noise abatement, housing quality, and environmental control of recreational areas.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Environmental Health program, a specialization within Public Health, focuses on the intersection of environmental sciences and human health. It prepares students to address ecological issues and the impact of environmental factors on public safety. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about improving community health through environmental stewardship and policy.
Students in this program gain essential skills in epidemiology, toxicology, risk assessment, and environmental law. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication, equipping graduates to tackle real-world environmental health challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Environmental Health graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree741 graduates / yr · 49 institutions57%
- Bachelor's degree311 graduates / yr · 37 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate108 graduates / yr · 11 institutions8.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship74 graduates / yr · 24 institutions5.7%
- Post-master's certificate25 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.9%
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks11 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
- Doctor's degree - other2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Environmental Health completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 946 |
| 2013 | 972 |
| 2014 | 1,113 |
| 2015 | 1,096 |
| 2016 | 1,148 |
| 2017 | 1,253 |
| 2018 | 1,215 |
| 2019 | 1,225 |
| 2020 | 1,249 |
| 2021 | 1,284 |
| 2022 | 1,311 |
| 2023 | 1,422 |
| 2024 | 1,263 |
| 2025 | 1,306 |
Top 50 institutions for Environmental Health, 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 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 114 | 94% | $11,888 | $36,540 |
| 2 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 68 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 3 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 66 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 4 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 66 | 85% | — | $46,016 |
| 5 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 55 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 6 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 57% | — | $39,011 |
| 7 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 95% | $17,613 | $44,516 |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor's | 39 | 91% | — | $75,591 |
| 9 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 37 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 10 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 85% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, ILPublicMaster's | 32 | 53% | — | — |
| 12 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 31 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 13 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 84% | $29,789 | $44,809 |
| 14 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicMaster's | 29 | 33% | — | — |
| 15 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 27 | 88% | — | $36,226 |
| 16 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 56% | — | — |
| 17 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 93% | — | — |
| 18 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 19 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 19 | 93% | — | $48,351 |
| 20 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 19 | 93% | — | $36,181 |
| 21 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 42% | — | — |
| 22 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 19 | 63% | — | $35,628 |
| 23 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicBachelor's | 17 | 58% | — | $59,330 |
| 24 | Roane State Community College Harriman, TNPublicAssociate's | 17 | 36% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 16 | 90% | — | $39,534 |
| 26 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 88% | $29,023 | $37,573 |
| 27 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 55% | $6,760 | $30,128 |
| 28 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 14 | — | — | — |
| 29 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | — | — | — |
| 30 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 12 | — | — | — |
| 31 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 12 | 85% | — | $55,809 |
| 32 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 11 | 67% | — | $52,540 |
| 33 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 75% | — | $35,852 |
| 34 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor's | 11 | 50% | — | $35,612 |
| 35 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 36 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 11 | 59% | — | — |
| 37 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 11 | 28% | — | — |
| 38 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 11 | 80% | $35,682 | $23,096 |
| 39 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 11 | 84% | — | $39,584 |
| 40 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 87% | — | $35,463 |
| 41 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 24% | — | — |
| 42 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster's | 9 | 91% | — | $30,056 |
| 43 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 9 | 65% | — | $59,207 |
| 44 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor's | 9 | 65% | — | $37,883 |
| 45 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 71% | — | — |
| 46 | Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GAPublicMaster's | 8 | 41% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 55% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 83% | — | $37,364 |
| 49 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 50 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 78% | $36,004 | $39,072 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Health field (CIP 51.22) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states & territories
Where Environmental Health graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Health 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 Health program can pursue careers as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, with a median wage of $80,060. The job outlook is positive, with an expected growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 8,500 annual openings, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2202
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 |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists SOC 19-5011 | $90,150 | +12.5% Much faster than average | ~14,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians SOC 19-5012 | $61,560 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~3,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Epidemiologists SOC 19-1041 | $87,220 | +16.2% Much faster than average | ~800 | Master's 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 Health 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 Public Health specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Health (CIP 51.22).
- Public HealthCIP 51.220124,565 graduates / yr483 institutions
- Public Health Education and PromotionCIP 51.22073,740 graduates / yr157 institutions
- Community Health and Preventive MedicineCIP 51.22083,507 graduates / yr121 institutions
- Public HealthCIP 51.22992,709 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Health Services AdministrationCIP 51.22112,260 graduates / yr121 institutions
- International Public Health/CIP 51.2210
International Health 1,359 graduates / yr64 institutions - Behavioral Aspects of HealthCIP 51.2212751 graduates / yr55 institutions
- Health/CIP 51.2205
Medical Physics 332 graduates / yr37 institutions - Occupational Health and Industrial HygieneCIP 51.2206300 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Maternal and Child HealthCIP 51.2209225 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Patient Safety and Healthcare QualityCIP 51.2213partial data104 graduates / yr9 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Public Health Genetics51.2214
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 Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and environmental science.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Environmental Scientist, Occupational Health Specialist, or Health Specialties Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 4.4% growth and 8,500 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Environmental Health?+
Environmental Health is CIP 51.2202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Health (CIP 51.22). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of environmental sciences, public health, the biomedical sciences, and environmental toxicology to the study of environmental factors affecting human health, safety, and related ecological issues, and prepares individuals to function as professional environmental health specialists. Includes instruction in epidemiology, biostatistics, toxicology, public policy analysis, public management, risk assessment, communications, environmental law, occupational health and safety emergency response, and applications such as air quality, food protection, radiation protection, solid and hazardous waste management, water quality, soil quality, noise abatement, housing quality, and environmental control of recreational areas.
How many institutions offer Environmental Health programs?+
88 U.S. institutions reported Environmental Health graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states & territories, awarding 1,306 credentials in the year. That is 3.2% of all Public Health graduates.
How much do Environmental Health 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 Health most directly leads to, pays a median of $82,220 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Health field report median earnings of $38,435 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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