Top Colleges for Environmental Science Programs

The pursuit of environmental science has become increasingly vital as humanity grapples with pressing issues such as climate change and pollution. An environmental science degree can open doors to many career possibilities. This article explores some of the best colleges and universities in the United States for environmental science programs, offering a pathway for aspiring professionals to make a real difference in the world.

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that combines various earth sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics. It equips individuals with the knowledge to implement environmental policies and protect against climate change. Environmental scientists analyze complex issues like climate change and pollution, delving into the interactions between society and the environment. A degree in environmental science can hone your skills to become a professional who can make a difference in the field of environmental studies and make major discoveries that will help the planet. Students interested in the field of environmental science will gain knowledge throughout their undergraduate degree to research and craft solutions to some of the problems the planet currently faces.

Top Universities for Environmental Sciences

Here is a list of top universities where you can get an environmental science degree that can open doors to a bright professional future:

West Coast

Stanford University (Stanford, California): Stanford's School of Sustainability offers programs that allow students to study geophysics and civil and environmental engineering. The university aims to design innovative solutions for a more sustainable society by combining science with political and social considerations, addressing issues like climate change, resource management, and ocean health.
University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, California): UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management emphasizes research, teaching, and public outreach. The university uses knowledge for the public good, providing diverse educational opportunities from undergraduate to graduate programs. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, students have a variety of education opportunities from Undergraduate to Graduate programs.

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University of California, Davis (Davis, California): UC Davis offers interdisciplinary programs integrating biology, ecology, chemistry, engineering, and policy. Its proximity to diverse ecosystems, including agricultural lands, wetlands, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning and fieldwork. The Bachelor of Science and Management at UC Davis has major requirements, such as courses in biology, chemistry, physics, economics, and calculus. After students have built a strong foundation in their environmental science major, they start taking classes in the upper division, which consists of physical, biological, and social sciences courses.
University of Washington (Seattle, Washington): The University of Washington College of the Environment's innovative approach leads to discoveries that benefit society and the planet. The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences focuses on studying the environment through field-based research. Students learn how to use this knowledge in order to find solutions to real world problems. Close to forests, mountains, and coastal areas, UW Seattle offers unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and fieldwork. The university's strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration equips students with the skills needed to address complex environmental challenges from multiple perspectives.
University of Oregon (Eugene, Oregon): With its proximity to diverse ecosystems like the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Range, UO offers robust environmental science programs with a focus on sustainability and conservation. Students can major in Environmental Studies or Environmental Science.

Southwest

University of Colorado, Boulder (Boulder, Colorado): Students studying within the Department of Environmental Studies will learn through courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university's commitment to research, sustainability initiatives, interdisciplinary approach, and community engagement enrich the student experience, equipping them to address complex environmental challenges effectively. Overall, UC-Boulder offers a holistic environment where students gain the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences needed to become leaders in environmental sustainability.
Arizona State University (Tempe, Arizona): ASU's School of Sustainability is one of the largest and most innovative sustainability programs in the world, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on sustainability solutions. ASU offers programs at their Tempe, Lake Havasu, and West Valley campuses, along with online opportunities.

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Midwest

University of Minnesota Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota): The historical Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is more than 125 years old and is the only university in Minnesota that is among the best environmental science colleges. The Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management major at UMinn links policy, business, education, management, and science in an interdisciplinary program. Their environmental science major tackles environmental challenges through research and community service.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, Wisconsin): UW-Madison’s environmental science programs offer exceptional opportunities for research and fieldwork, particularly in areas such as freshwater ecology and conservation biology. This large, public university offers majors including Biology Education, Conservation Biology, and Forest Science.

Mid-Atlantic

Allegheny College (Meadville, Pennsylvania): Allegheny's Environmental Science & Sustainability program teaches students to analyze the relationships between humans and the environment that we live with and use. Students enrolled at Allegheny can either major in Environmental Science, which focuses on the chemistry and biology of our changing world, or major in Environmental Studies, which has a broader interdisciplinary scope and focuses on such fields as law and policy, art, literature, and philosophy.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) (Baltimore County, Maryland): UMBC offers an environmental science program that combines classroom learning with hands-on research opportunities in areas such as Chesapeake Bay ecology and environmental chemistry.
The State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) (Syracuse, New York): SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is located in New York State close to Syracuse. SUNY ESF is proud to be a leading post-secondary institution with a focus on environmental challenges. The college's mandate is to help students envision a society that meets human needs for the natural world while safeguarding living resources for future generations to observe and protect. SUNY ESF strives to create and educate leaders while inspiring and informing the public about our world. The small, public university and liberal arts college offers majors including Conservation Biology, Environmental Health, and Wildlife Science.

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Southeast

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, North Carolina): NC State's College of Natural Resources provides strong environmental science programs with focus on sustainable natural resource management and conservation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina): UNC Chapel Hill's Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering provides comprehensive programs in environmental science and engineering, focusing on air and water quality, environmental health, and sustainable development. The large, public university offers majors including Biology, Environmental Sciences and Engineering, and Marine Sciences.
University of South Carolina (Columbia, South Carolina): USC's College of Arts and Sciences offers programs in environmental science and studies, with a focus on sustainability, conservation biology, and environmental policy. The university's location provides access to coastal and inland ecosystems for research and fieldwork.
University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida): The University of Florida, the only university in Florida among the best colleges of environmental science, offers students the opportunity to graduate with a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. The difference is that students who pursue a Bachelor of Science will focus on natural sciences. In contrast, the Bachelor of Arts has an approach similar to that of a private liberal arts institution because students study science but also have to understand economics, policy, and management. The University of Florida’s location near unique ecosystems like the Everglades provides opportunities for fieldwork and hands-on learning. UF's commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives such as LEED-certified buildings and interdisciplinary collaborations addressing pressing environmental challenges. Additionally, its strong alumni network and career resources offer students pathways to impactful careers in environmental conservation and management.

Northeast

Colby College (Waterville, Maine): The Colby Environmental Studies program is one of the oldest in the country and is nationally recognized for its excellence. The student population is encouraged to lend their skills and talents locally, nationally, and internationally to help solve environmental challenges. Colby prides itself on learning models that are project-based with plenty of field-research opportunities. The small, private liberal arts college offers majors including Biology, Environmental Policy, and Geoscience.
University of Vermont (Burlington, Vermont): UVM's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources offers programs in environmental studies with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and environmental policy. The University of Vermont in Burlington has 22 environmentally-themed majors and concentrations and is the 5th oldest university in New England. UVM offers a BS degree in Environmental Sciences through three streams within the university. Students are fortunate to have world-renowned environmental scientists in the classroom as professors, coupled with hands-on field and lab opportunities. Within the three schools, students can choose between a greater focus on either environmental sciences or liberal arts focus, or an understanding of the environment within the context of agricultural literacy. The medium-sized, public university offers majors including Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, Environmental Sciences, and Ecological Agriculture.
University of New Hampshire (Durham, New Hampshire): UNH's environmental science program emphasizes experiential learning and offers opportunities for research in fields such as climate change, water quality, and wildlife conservation. UNH's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences offers a range of environmental science programs, including marine and freshwater biology, environmental engineering, and climate science.
Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts): The small, private liberal arts college offers majors including Biology and Environmental Studies.
Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vermont): The medium-sized, private liberal arts college offers majors including Biology and Environmental Studies.
Pomona College (Claremont, California): The small, private liberal arts college offers majors including Biology and Environmental Analysis.
Colorado College (Colorado Springs, Colorado): The medium-sized, private liberal arts college offers majors including an Environmental Program and Organismal Biology and Ecology.
Montana State University (Bozeman, Montana): The medium-sized, public university offers majors including Environmental Horticulture, Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology, and Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems.
The University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho): The medium-sized, public university offers majors including Biological Systems Engineering, Ecohydrological Engineering, and Ecology and Conservation Biology.
The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan): The large, public university offers majors including Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Plant Biology.
The University of Montana (Missoula, Montana): The medium-sized, public university offers majors including Ecological Sciences & Restoration, Environmental Health, Fish and Wildlife Biology, Forest and Conservation Sciences, Environmental and Natural Resources Law, and Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism.
The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas): The large, public university offers majors including Environmental Science, Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology, and Biology.

Schools with Guaranteed Internships in Environmental Sciences

These institutions typically have dedicated career services offices or related environmental science departments that assist students in finding internship placements and provide support throughout the internship process.

College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, Maine): This college offers a unique interdisciplinary program in human ecology and emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, including internships in environmental fields.
Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, New York): Bard College offers internship opportunities through its Center for Environmental Policy and Environmental and Urban Studies program where students can minor in an environmental studies concentration.
The Evergreen State College (Olympia, Washington): Evergreen State College's academic programs often incorporate internships and field studies, including those related to environmental science and sustainability.
Warren Wilson College (Swannanoa, North Carolina): This college has a strong emphasis on experiential learning, including internships in environmental science and related fields; the Warren Wilson way is highlighted by the triad of academics, work, and service.
Prescott College (Prescott, Arizona): Prescott College offers hands-on learning experiences and encourages internships, fieldwork, and research in environmental science and related areas.
Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania): Dickinson College offers internship opportunities through its Center for Sustainability Education and Environmental Studies program.

Careers in Environmental Sciences

An environmental science degree can lead to various career paths. Here are a few options:

Environmental Scientists: Environmental scientists analyze data, identify threats, and recommend solutions. They earn a median annual salary of $76,480. Industries like healthcare and government agencies are vital employers. The education required is at least a bachelor's degree, but a Master's degree will allow you to exert more advanced roles.
Postsecondary Environmental Science Teacher: Teachers are responsible for sharing their knowledge to better prepare their students for roles that will make a difference in society. The fields of environmental sciences also want leaders who will positively impact their students' values. A Postsecondary Environmental Science Teacher earns a median annual salary of $83,040.
Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist: Zoologists and wildlife biologists analyze data, track animals, and see how humans affect habitat. They earn a median annual salary of $67,430.
Geoscientist: Geoscientists analyze Earth's structures, resources, and processes. Some areas of specialization are oceanography, seismology, and paleontology. A Geoscientist can earn a median annual salary of $87,480.
Hydrologist: Hydrologists study water movement, quality, and availability. They understand how rain impacts the river and ensures the water stays healthy. The median annual salary of a Hydrologist is $85,990, and a bachelor's degree can open doors, but a master's is preferred.
Conservation Scientist: Conservation scientists recommend sustainable practices to landowners and the government. Some specializations can be in soil, water, or land management. A bachelor's degree can open your doors to a career as a Conservation Scientist. Earn a median salary of $64,460.
Environmental Engineer: Environmental engineers combine science and engineering by studying issues like pollution, writing reports, and ensuring projects follow regulations. The median salary of a professional with at least a Bachelor's degree is $96,530.
Environmental Lawyers: Environmental lawyers ensure that society complies with environmental laws. A JD degree is required, and the average salary is $87,300.

The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree program at The University of Texas at Austin is designed for students interested in an interdisciplinary scientific perspective on environmental and sustainability issues, analysis, and management. The degree program provides the broad foundation in physical, life, and social sciences needed for a career or graduate study in environmental science and related fields such as climate change, ecology, and conservation. Students who complete the program successfully will be able to assess environmental issues critically from multiple perspectives; to perform field, laboratory, and computer analyses; and to conduct original research. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in local, state, and federal government laboratories and nonprofit agencies, environmental consulting firms, environmental education and outreach agencies, and universities and other research settings. The degree is offered by the College of Natural Sciences with a major in biological sciences, by the College of Liberal Arts with a major in geographical sciences, and by the Jackson School of Geosciences with a major in geosciences. The degree programs share common prescribed work, but each degree has its own specific requirements. Students may earn only one Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree from the University.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science degree requires 126 total semester credit hours of coursework. All students must complete the University’s Core Curriculum. The specific degree requirements consist of prescribed work, major requirements, and electives. In some cases, a course that is required for the degree may also be counted toward the core curriculum. A course in one prescribed work area may not also be used to fulfill the requirements of another prescribed work area.

Prescribed Work Common to All Majors

Introductory course: Environmental Science 301
Field experience and research methods: Environmental Science 311
Environment and sustainability coursework: One environment and sustainability course: Business, Government, and Society 325, 372, Finance 372T, Geography 309C, 320J, 342C, 342N, or 344G.
One geographic information systems course: Geography 460G, 462K, or Geological Sciences 327G.
Two earth system courses: Geological Sciences 416W and one course chosen from Geography 330W, 301K, Geological Sciences 347D, 370E, 476K, 476M, 376S, or 377P.
Two computational science courses chosen from: Geography 462K, 464K, 368C, 369D, 470C, 370D, Geological Sciences 325G, 352P, 455S, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering 338, Statistics and Data Sciences 320E, 320H, 321, Biological sciences majors must take Statistics and Data Sciences 320E, 320H, or 321
- Please note: Geographical sciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 3 and 11. Geosciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 3 and 12. Students may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 3 and 5.
Courses in each of the following environmental science areas:
- Geological Sciences: Geological Sciences 401 or 303.
- Geography: Geography 412E.
- Ecology: Two courses chosen from Integrative Biology 373 or Marine Science 320 and Integrative Biology 373L or Marine Science 120L. Biological sciences majors must choose Integrative Biology 373 and 373L.
Capstone Research Experience chosen from one of the following pairs:
- Environmental Science 271 and 371 or 171 and 471.
- Environmental Science 172C and 472D or 272C and 372D.
- Environmental Science 271 or Marine Science 370, and one course chosen from: Chemistry 320M, Geography 460G, 462K, 368C, Geological Sciences 327G, Mathematics 408D, 408M, Statistics and Data Sciences 320E, 320H, or 321.
  - Please note: Geographical sciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 5 and 11. Geosciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 5 and 11. Geosciences majors may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 5 and 12. Students may not use the same coursework to satisfy both requirements 3 and 5. Statistics and Data Sciences 320E, 320H, and 321 may not be used in this requirement by students in the College of Natural Sciences. Biology 377 may substitute for Environmental Science 271 with prior approval of the faculty advisor. Tutorial Course 660HA and 660HB may substitute for Environmental Science 271 and 371 with prior approval of the faculty advisor. Geological Sciences 172H, 173H, and 379H may substitute for Environmental Science 271 and 371 with prior approval of the faculty advisor. Natural Sciences 323 and 371 may substitute for Environmental Science 271 and 371 with the prior approval of the faculty advisor.
Mathematics: Mathematics 408C, 408N and 408S, or 408K and 408L.
Chemistry: Chemistry 301 or 301C and 302 or 302C.
Physics: Physics 317K and 117M, Physics 303K and 103M, or Physics 301 and 101L.
Biological Sciences: Biology 311C and 311D, or 315H.
The following 30 semester hours of coursework are required; these hours must include at least 18 hours of upper-division coursework.
Cultural expression, human experience, and thought: Three semester hours of approved coursework. The course must be in a field of study taught in the College of Liberal Arts.

In addition to the core curriculum, prescribed work, additional prescribed work, and major requirements, the student must complete enough elective coursework to provide the 126 semester hours required for the degree. These 126 hours may include no more than 12 hours of conference courses and internship courses combined as described in Conference Courses and Internship Courses; 12 hours of Bible courses; nine hours of designated coursework in air force science, military science, or naval science, except for students enrolled in the Military Leadership minor; 16 hours completed on the pass/fail basis; 39 hours in any one field of study offered in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences, unless major requirements state otherwise; and 36 hours in courses offered in any other single college or school of the University.

Financial Aid Resources

Although top universities can be pricey, and not all can afford, don't panic. Many financial aid resources can help you become part of prestigious top colleges. Some of them are:

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