The Best Colleges for Environmental Science for 2023-2024

Environmental science is an increasingly popular field of study for college students. Find out which are the best colleges to study environmental sciences.

The Best Colleges for Environmental Science for 2023-2024
Jamie Photo

Environmental science is a field of study that is increasingly more and more pertinent to our world. Whether it’s formulating efforts to prevent human-induced climate change or cleaning up pollution, environmental sciences are central to figuring out many of the problems facing humanity. Not surprisingly, with all this going on, environmental science has grown in popularity as an area of study for college students. Although related to other sciences like biology and chemistry, environmental science is its own interdisciplinary field of study that incorporates several other subjects. As such, pursuing a major in environmental science tends to entail a lot of different science and mathematics requirements.

BrokeScholar conducted a study to identify the best colleges for environmental science. Sourcing data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we constructed a list of 202 four-year colleges — both public colleges and private colleges — that award degrees in environmental science and environmental studies. We then analyzed these 202 colleges in terms of criteria including how many environmental science and studies degrees they award per academic year, the level of degrees awarded, the ratio of environmental degrees conferred versus the student population, and more (see the methodology section for more details).

Read on to find out the best colleges for environmental science in the United States for the academic year 2023-2024.

The Best Colleges for Environmental Science 

In general, the best environmental science schools tend to be public colleges, especially the big research and/or land-grant research institutions. These kinds of colleges have the economies of scale to sustain fully articulated environmental science and studies departments and programs. While there are private, not-for-profit colleges that ranked among the best environmental science schools, they are a minority.

Many of the schools that made our list of the best colleges for environmental science are also highly ranked in other “best of” studies conducted by BrokeScholar. For instance, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) ranked among the best environmental science schools and also ranked as the No. 1 best college in North Carolina in a separate BrokeScholar study. 

Here’s the rundown on the top 25 best colleges for environmental science in the US:

1. University of California, Berkeley

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 93%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 14%

Tuition and required fees: $14,605 for in-state | $45,631 for out-of-state

Considering it's the hardest college to get into in the UC System and has garnered a well-known academic reputation over the years, it shouldn’t be too surprising that UC Berkeley ranks among the best colleges for environmental science. Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management is home to several programs and levels of degrees that students can pursue. For undergraduates, you can major in Environmental Sciences and earn a Bachelor of Science. This degree also requires students to select a concentration for their intended area of research, such as (1) biological science concentration; (2) social science concentration; or (3) physical science concentration.

Also on the undergraduate level is majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP), a field of study that examines the economic and political institutions that impact the development of natural resources and our environment. Moving on up to the graduate level and you’ll find plenty more options:

With all these different programs and levels of degrees you can earn in environmental science and studies, Berkeley easily makes our list of the best environmental science schools. Additionally, according to NCES data, the main environmental science degrees awarded by Berkeley include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 61 awarded in Environmental Science and 256 awarded in Environmental Studies.

  • Master’s degrees: 56 awarded in Environmental Studies.

  • Doctoral degrees: 35 awarded in Environmental Studies.

2. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 76%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 65%

Tuition and required fees: $9,266 for in-state | $20,916 for out-of-state

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) takes the No. 2 spot in our study of the best colleges for environmental science. Heck, environmental science is even in its proper name. Located in Syracuse, New York, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is overtly focused on instructing college students in environmental science and environmental studies. And besides being one of the best environmental science colleges, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is also one of the best SUNY colleges in terms of its academic quality.

When it comes to undergraduate programs, ESF offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. All of these environmental science bachelor programs put a heavy emphasis on interdisciplinary work and cover a broad sweep of fields, ranging from geographical studies to philosophical studies of environmental concerns.

On the graduate level, ESF also offers a vast selection of programs to choose from. The some of the graduation environmental science programs the college offers include:

And those are just a few selected programs, not all of them. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry truly stands alone when it comes to environmental science colleges. According to NCES data, ESF has awarded the following degrees in environmental sciences:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 31 awarded in Environmental Science and 49 awarded in Environmental Studies.

  • Master’s degrees: 6 awarded in Environmental Science and 6 awarded in Environmental Studies.

  • Doctoral degrees: 6 awarded in Environmental Science. 

3. Western Washington University

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 68%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 96%

Tuition and required fees: $8,967 for in-state | $26,874 for out-of-state

Located in Bellingham, Washington, Western Washington University is a public university that holds the distinction of being the northernmost university in the contiguous United States. Western Washington University is a large school, with over 14,000 undergraduate students. Since it's a large, public institution, WWU has a robust environmental academic program — including an entire subsidiary College of the Environment — which helps make this school one of the best colleges for environmental science. 

WWU has an impressive array of environmental science programs that students can choose to enroll in. In terms of undergraduate majors, WWU has:

  • Environmental Studies, B.A.

  • Environmental Studies - Education and Eco-Social Justice Emphasis, B.A.

  • Environmental Studies - Geography Emphasis, B.A.

  • Environmental Studies - Geographic Information Science Emphasis, B.A.

  • Environmental Studies - Justice & Community Resilience Emphasis, B.A.

  • Environmental Studies - Policy, Politics & Governance Emphasis, B.A.

  • Student/Faculty Designed, B.A. (College of the Environment)

If you’re looking for a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Western Washington University has you covered there as well:

  • Environmental Science, B.S.

  • Environmental Science, Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology Emphasis

  • Environmental Science, Marine Ecology Emphasis

  • Environmental Science, Toxicology Emphasis

Finally, Western Washington University offers graduate-level environmental science programs, such as an M.A. in Environmental Studies, an M.S. in Environmental Science, and an M.S. in Environmental Science, Marine & Estuarine Science.  WWU has conferred a large number of degrees in environmental science, according to NCES data, including:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 125 awarded in Environment Science and 106 awarded in Environmental Studies.

  • Master’s degrees: 8 awarded in Environment Science and 12 awarded in Environmental Studies.

4. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 48%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 91%

Tuition and required fees: $7,864 for in-state | $19,744 for out-of-state

Located in Arcata, California, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, also known as Cal Poly Humboldt, is a public university and one of three polytechnic universities in the California State University system. The university has an undergraduate population of over 5,300 students, making it one of the smaller public universities in our study. While its graduation rate could be better, Cal Poly Humboldt is undeniably one of the best colleges for environmental science.

For undergraduate students, you can study and attain a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Management. Both undergraduate degrees are interdisciplinary programs that equip students with the tools and skills they need to work in environmental science in the professional world. However, the degree in Environmental Science & Management, in particular, puts a stronger emphasis on understanding the interactions between the biological/physical world and human institutions. For graduate students, one of Cal Poly Humboldt’s top programs is the Master of Science in Environmental Systems, which is a unique combination of studies in Environmental Resources Engineering, Geology, and Energy Technology and Policy, all within a single graduate program.

According to NCES data, the most popular environmental science degrees at Cal Poly Humboldt include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 119 awarded in Environmental Science and 24 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 9 awarded in Environmental Science.

5. University of Washington

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 84%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 53%

Tuition and required fees: $12,242 for in-state | $40,740 for out-of-state

Right in Seattle, the University of Washington came in as the fifth best college for environmental science. The university has an undergraduate population of over 36,000 and a total student population of over 52,000. Boasting a high graduation rate of 84% and more selective-than-average acceptance rate of 53%, the University of Washington is a force to be reckoned with academically. In terms of environmental sciences, the University of Washington has an entire College of the Environment dedicated solely to those subjects.

When it comes to undergraduate programs in environmental science, the University of Washington has 8 primary majors, including:

On the graduate level, environmental science students can undertake studies that lead to master’s degrees or doctorates, such as:

When it comes to degrees awarded in environmental science and studies, according to NCES data, the University of Washington has conferred:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 106 awarded in Environmental Science and 67 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 6 awarded in Environmental Science and 25 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 3 awarded in Environmental Science.

6. University of Vermont

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 77%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 64%

Tuition and required fees: $18,890 for in-state | $43,890 for out-of-state

At home in Burlington, Vermont, the University of Vermont makes our list of the best colleges for environmental science, boasting an impressive 96 bachelor’s degrees awarded in Environmental Science in the 2021 academic year alone. Even though the university has a large student population of nearly 13,900 students, a significantly high percentage of environmental science and studies degrees were awarded in proportion to the student population. 

Environmental sciences at the University of Vermont fall under the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The undergraduate majors you can pursue at the Rubenstein School include:

If you’re looking to pursue graduate studies in environmental science, the Rubenstein School has that covered too:

When it comes to degrees awarded in environmental science and studies, according to NCES data, the University of Vermont has conferred:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 96 awarded in Environmental Science and 128 awarded in Environmental Studies.

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 90%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 20%

Tuition and required fees: $8,997 for in-state | $37,558 for out-of-state

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (or simply UNC) is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. As the flagship school of the University of North Carolina system, it is considered a “Public Ivy” — a public institution which offers an academic experience similar to that of an Ivy League university. This academic excellence is reflected in UNC’s superb 90% graduation rate and highly selective acceptance rate of only 20%, making it one of the hardest colleges to get into in North Carolina. 

UNC ranks among the top of the list of the best colleges for environmental science thanks to its multiple undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental sciences and studies. These include the following programs:

When it comes to degrees awarded in environmental science and studies, according to NCES data, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has conferred:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 58 awarded in Environmental Science and 59 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 11 awarded in Environmental Science.
  • Doctoral degrees: 8 awarded in Environmental Science.

8. Oregon State University

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 68%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 89%

Tuition and required fees: $13,191 for in-state | $34,983 for out-of-state

Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant, research university in Corvallis, Oregon. With a total student population of over 33,000 students, Oregon State dominates the city, making Corvallis the biggest college town in Oregon. Though many colleges in the Pacific Northwest made our list of the best colleges for environmental sciences, Oregon State University is the only school from Oregon to make the cut.

OSU offers a suite of undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental science, environmental studies, and related fields. Some of the main environmental programs include:

Oregon State University turns out a lot of environmental science degrees. According to NCES data, the top degrees in environmental sciences for the 2021 academic year included the following:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 108 awarded in Environmental Science.
  • Master’s degrees: 23 awarded in Environmental Science.
  • Doctoral degrees: 3 awarded in Environmental Science.

9. University of California, Davis

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 87%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 49%

Tuition and required fees: $15,258 for in-state | $46,284 for out-of-state

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a public land-grant research university near Davis, California. It’s the northernmost of the ten campuses of the University of California system and is often called a “Public Ivy” for its strong academic reputation. This educational rigor is reflected in UC Davis’s high graduation rate of 87%, which is higher than most colleges in the UC System.

UC Davis is one of several California colleges to rank among the best colleges for environmental science. UC Davis ranks particularly high due to its many environmental science programs, on both the undergraduate and graduate level, and the amount of environmental science degrees awarded per year. UC Davis also shines in the field of biology, ranking among the best biomedical engineering schools in America. Some of the key undergraduate environmental science degree programs include:

In terms of graduate programs, UC Davis also offers a wide variety of environmental science degrees, including:

UC Davis, according to NCES data, confers a lot of environmental science and studies degrees, including the following in the 2021 academic year:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 124 awarded in Environmental Science and 66 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 13 awarded in Environmental Studies.

10. University of Arizona

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 64%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 87%

Tuition and required fees: $13,255 for in-state | $39,557 for out-of-state

The University of Arizona is a public land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1885, it was the first university in the Arizona Territory, as this was long before Arizona became a state. The University of Arizona is a very large college, with an undergraduate population of over 37,000 and a total student population of over 48,000. This makes it one of the largest colleges in the US. 

The University of Arizona is one of two colleges from Arizona to make our list of the best environmental science schools. And indeed, U of A offers a ton of undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental science and studies. Here’s a look at some of the key undergraduate environmental programs on offer:

On the graduate level, U of A has more than a half-dozen environmental programs students can pursue. These include:

According to NCES data, the top degrees awarded by the University of Arizona in environmental sciences include the following:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 37 awarded in Environmental Science and 19 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 6 awarded in Environmental Science and 5 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 10 awarded in Environmental Science.

11. Arizona State University

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 66%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 88%

Tuition and required fees: $11,618 for in-state | $30,592 for out-of-state

With its main campus in Tempe, Arizona, Arizona State University offers a variety of programs that help make it one of the best environmental science schools in the US. On the undergraduate level, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, which covers all aspects of environmental basics, including molecular, organismal and ecosystem biology, as well as proficiency in chemistry, statistics and geographic information systems. There’s also a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, which is provided by ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. 

For those wanting to study environmental science on the graduate level, ASU has that covered too. The school offers a Ph.D. in Environmental Life Sciences, which is a doctorate-level training program that integrates multiple complementary fields, such as biology, chemistry, evolution, environmental engineering, and mathematics and statistics, to name a few. And if you want a bigger challenge, you can pursue the Ph.D. Environmental Social Science (Complex Adaptive Systems Science) program, which focuses heavily on reducing human impacts on the environment and developing more sustainable practices, all while analyzing big, complex adaptive systems.

According to NCES data, the top degrees in environmental sciences included the following:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 8 awarded in Environmental Science and 107 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 31 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 17 awarded in Environmental Studies.

12. University of California, Santa Cruz

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 78%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 59%

Tuition and required fees: $14,640 for in-state | $32,562 for out-of-state

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz) is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California. It is one of the 10 campuses in the University of California system and, like Cal State Monterey Bay, is located on Monterey Bay. Although its 59% undergraduate acceptance rate is comparatively more competitive than most colleges, UC Santa Cruz ranks as one of the easiest colleges to get into in the UC System. 

UC Santa Cruz has strong credentials when it comes to environmental science and studies, as well as sciences in general. In fact, the school ranks among the best colleges for marine biology in the US. In terms of environmental science, UC Santa Cruz offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences, which is interdepartmental and undergraduate-only. This program sets students up to either go into the professional world of environmental sciences or go on to continue their studies on the graduate level. UC Santa Cruz also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies as well as a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies. According to NCES data, UC Santa Cruz conferred the following degrees in environmental sciences:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 28 awarded in Environmental Science and 163 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master's degrees: 4 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 8 awarded in Environmental Studies.

13. University of Oklahoma

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 76%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 85%

Tuition and required fees: $12,828 for in-state | $29,395 for out-of-state

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is a public research university in Norman, Oklahoma. Established in 1890, the school had existed in Oklahoma Territory next to Indian Territory for 17 years before the two Territories became the state of Oklahoma. OU is a large college, having an undergraduate population of over 21,000 students. For such a large public institution, its graduation rate of 76% is comparatively quite high. 

The University of Oklahoma ranks as the 13th best college for environmental science thanks to its diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental science and studies. Some of these environmental science degrees are awarded by different schools within OU, such as the College of Engineering or the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, for example. Below are some of the key undergraduate programs in environmental science:

When it comes to graduate degrees in environmental science and related fields, OU really stands out by offering quite a few. Below are some of the top graduate programs in environmental science:

According to NCES data, OU confers a good amount of degrees in environmental sciences each year, including the following in the 2021 academic year:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 47 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master's degrees: 53 awarded in Environmental Science and 7 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 1 awarded in Environmental Science.

14. Indiana University Bloomington

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 81%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 85%

Tuition and required fees: $11,446 for in-state | $39,118 for out-of-state

Indiana University Bloomington (often called IU Bloomington or Indiana University) is a public research university in — as its name suggests — Bloomington, Indiana. It is the flagship campus of Indiana University. This university is a particularly large school, even by public college standards. It has an undergraduate population of over 34,000 and a total student population of over 45,000. What’s impressive for such a large public university is its high graduation rate of 81%. This figure reflects Indiana University’s strong academic reputation, which is why it ranked as the 3rd best college in Indiana. As one of the best colleges for environmental sciences, Indiana University offers the following programs:

According to NCES data, Indiana University awards a good amount of degrees in environmental sciences each year, including the following in the 2021 academic year:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 13 awarded in Environmental Science and 44 awarded in Environmental Studies..
  • Master's degrees: 40 awarded in Environmental Science and 8 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 2 awarded in Environmental Science.

15. University of Maine

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 57%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 96%

Tuition and required fees: $11,986 for in-state | $33,586 for out-of-state

The University of Maine (UMaine) is a public land-grant research university in Orono, Maine. It was founded in 1865 as the land-grant college of Maine and is the flagship university of the University of Maine System. Being the main school in the University of Maine System, UMaine is the largest college in Maine, with an undergraduate population of over 10,000 students. It is classified by Carnegie as among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity", which helps explain in part why it ranks among the best colleges for environmental science. Fortunately for students eager to study environmental sciences, UMaine accepts a majority of those applying to the college.

Undergraduate students looking to study environmental subjects have several majors and programs to choose from. They include:

UMaine also offers a slew of graduate programs in environmental sciences as well. They include:

With all of these undergraduate and graduate programs available, it’s not surprising that, according to NCES data, UMaine awards a good amount of degrees in environmental science per academic year, including:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 35 awarded in Environmental Science and 5 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 9 awarded in Environmental Science.
  • Doctoral degrees: 8 awarded in Environmental Science.

16. Allegheny College

Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit

Graduation rate: 75%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 75%

Tuition and required fees: $53,610

Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1815. A bit of trivia: The school is the oldest college in continuous existence under the same name west of the Allegheny Mountains. Though on the smaller side — with an undergraduate population of over 1,500 students — Allegheny College has awarded a high proportion of environmental science degrees compared to its student body. 

When choosing a major at Allegheny College, the top undergraduate one is a major in Environmental Science and Sustainability (ESS). It’s ranked as the No. 4 best ESS program in the US and combines book-learned theory with real-world application. This is an interdisciplinary program, so it has various diverse course requirements, but it’s well worth pursuing if you love environmental science and studies.

According to NCES data, the most popular environmental science degrees include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 33 awarded in Environmental Science and 6 awarded in Environmental Studies.

17. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 89%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 60%

Tuition and required fees: $10,796 for in-state | $39,427 for out-of-state

Aptly located in Wisconsin’s capital of Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public land-grant research university, founded back when Wisconsin achieved statehood in 1848. UW–Madison is the official state university of Wisconsin and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It’s also the hardest college to get into in the University of Wisconsin System. Its academic strength is reflected in its high graduation rate of 89%, which is exceptionally good for a large, public university.

UW-Madison ranks among the best environmental science schools due to its robust environmental science and studies programs and the large number of environmental science degrees it confers per academic year compared to total degrees awarded overall. On the undergraduate level, students have a number of bachelor’s degree programs in environmental sciences to choose from:

If that isn’t enough for you, then UW-Madison’s choice of graduate environmental science programs is equally robust:

With all these environmental science programs, it’s no surprise that, according to NCES data, UW-Madison has conferred the following degrees in environmental studies and sciences:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 50 awarded in Environmental Science and 51 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 14 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 7 awarded in Environmental Studies.

18. Texas A&M University

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 83%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 64%

Tuition and required fees: $13,012 for in-state | $40,896 for out-of-state

Texas A&M University is a public, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas. It was founded in 1876 and went on to become the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. Texas A&M is a big school, with more than 56,000 undergraduate students and a total student population in excess of 72,000. Despite its size, Texas A&M maintains an excellent graduation rate of 83%. And when it comes to environmental science colleges, Texas A&M is the best school in Texas.

For undergraduate students, you’ve got some options for majoring in environmental science and studies. Programs include:

The graduate programs offered at Texas A&M are more limited yet still interesting. They include a degree-dependent certificate in Environmental Hazard Management and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Environmental Health. According to NCES data, Texas A&M has conferred the following environmental science degrees in the 2021 academic year:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 91 awarded in Environmental Science and 74 awarded in Environmental Studies.

19. California State University, Monterey Bay

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 60%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 93%

Tuition and required fees: $7,353 for in-state | $19,098 for out-of-state

Located in Seaside, California, Cal State Monterey Bay is a public university in Monterey County, with its main campus encompassing a former military base Fort Ord. The university is about a mile inland from Monterey Bay along the Central Coast of California. This close access to Monterey Bay naturally positions the college to rank among the premier environmental science colleges in the US. While being one of the best colleges for environmental science, Cal State Monterey Bay is actually one of the easier colleges to get into in the Cal State System.

Cal State Monterey Bay offers a variety of environmental science programs. On the undergraduate level, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Technology & Policy, a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, as well as minors in Environmental Studies and Environmental Science. On the graduate level, Cal State Monterey Bay offers its Master of Science in Environmental Science, an interdisciplinary training program in science and technology that integrates them with environmental policy. With this master’s program in environmental science, you have two options to choose from: a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) or a thesis option that focuses on independent research. According to NCES data, the degrees awarded in environmental science and studies include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 25 awarded in Environmental Science and 48 awarded in Environmental Studies
  • Master’s degrees: 13 awarded in Environmental Science

20. Northeastern University

Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit

Graduation rate: 91%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 18%

Tuition and required fees: $60,892

Located in the Massachusetts capital, Northeastern University (NU) is a private research university with its main campus in Boston but with satellite campuses as far afield as Charlotte, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; San Jose, California; Oakland, California; and Portland, Maine. Northeastern University is a very strong school in terms of its educational record. It has one of the highest graduation rates in the country, at 91%. And its undergraduate acceptance rate of just 18% makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into in Massachusetts.

Northeastern University has several subsidiary colleges and schools within it. Its College of Science is the primary school for students wanting to study environmental sciences and studies. For undergraduates, Northeastern has several environmental degree programs, including:

On the graduate level, Northeastern University offers a variety of environmental science and related programs, though not as many as offered for undergraduates. Below is a list of some of the main environmental science graduate programs:

Northeastern University awarded a total of 8,087 combined bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the 2021 academic year. According to NCES data, the top environment sciences and studies conferred by NU include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 34 awarded in Environmental Science and 29 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 24 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Doctoral degrees: 1 awarded in Environmental Science.

21. University of San Francisco

Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit

Graduation rate: 76%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 71%

Tuition and required fees: $54,980

The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit university whose main campus is located on a 55-acre setting between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. It’s a fairly large school for a private, not-for-profit college, having an undergraduate population of almost 6,000 and a total student population of over 10,000. With a graduation rate of 76%, the university’s graduation rate is better-than-average. Just be wary of the cost of tuition, which is almost $55,000 per year, and living in San Francisco, which is not one of the more budget-friendly college towns to reside in.

When it comes to environmental science, the University of San Francisco has several programs on offer. For undergraduates, you can undertake majoring in Environmental Studies (B.A.) or in Environmental Science (B.S.). Both bachelor’s degrees are heavily interdisciplinary and experiential in their course work, with outdoor labs conducted at places like Lake Merced, the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, and Tilden Regional Park Botanical Garden, and more. For those looking for graduate programs in environmental science, there’s the Environmental Management (M.S.) program and the Environmental Management (M.S./M.B.A.) dual-degree program. 

According to NCES data, the top environment sciences and studies conferred by the University of San Francisco include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 22 awarded in Environmental Science and 14 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 30 awarded in Environmental Studies.

22. Colby College

Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit

Graduation rate: 87%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 9%

Tuition and required fees: $61,220

Colby College is one of Maine’s top private liberal arts colleges and one of the hardest colleges to get into in the nation. Colby College’s Environmental Studies (ES) Program is one of the oldest and best in the country. Over the years, this program has earned high marks and national esteem, for its students and teachers alike.

Colby also offers majors in Environmental Computation and Environmental Policy, all of which help make Colby College one of the best environmental science schools in the country. It’s also one of the most academically strong schools all around, with a highly selective acceptance rate of just 9% and a high graduation rate of 87%. And although its cost of tuition and required fees is over $60,000, with Colby College’s Environmental Studies Program, you can apply for and win scholarships to help pay for it. Based on NCES data, some of the most popular environmental science degrees include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 30 awarded in Environmental Science and 11 awarded in Environmental Studies

23. American University

Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit

Graduation rate: 79%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 64%

Tuition and required fees: $56,606

At home in our nation’s capital, American University is a private federally chartered research university, with an undergraduate population of nearly 8,500 students. With a graduation rate of 79%, American University’s rate is better-than-average. And its undergraduate acceptance rate of 64% is a bit more selective-than-average. American University is also a standout example of one of the best colleges for environmental science.

American University has a ton of environmental science programs, from the bachelor’s level up to doctoral. The key undergraduate and graduate environmental programs include:

American University’s main downside is its above-average cost of tuition and required fees. So, if you’re interested in applying to American University but the price tag is difficult for your family, look into applying for scholarships to help reduce the cost of attendance. In terms of degrees awarded, according to NCES data, the top environment sciences and studies conferred by American University include:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 10 awarded in Environmental Science and 11 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 11 awarded in Environmental Science and 29 awarded in Environmental Studies.

24. University of North Carolina Wilmington

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 72%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 68%

Tuition and required fees: $7,238 for in-state | $21,858 for out-of-state

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a public research university in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school is part of the University of North Carolina System and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". This high research activity is part of the reason why UNCW ranks among the top 25 best colleges for environmental science in the US.

With a solid graduation rate of 72% and a fairly selective — for a large, public college — admission rate of 86%, it’s not surprising that the University of North Carolina Wilmington ranks among the best colleges in North Carolina. In terms of environmental sciences, UNCW offers several undergraduate programs for aspiring students to choose from, including:

On the graduate level, the Department of Environmental Sciences offers several interdisciplinary, graduate degrees created for professionals, practitioners, citizens, and students who want to enhance their knowledge of the environment. The multidisciplinary approach of these programs is intended to produce future and current environmental professionals with the broad and acute perspective required to be effective leaders in the field. These graduate programs include:

UNCW confers a large number of environmental degrees each year. According to NCES data, in the 2021 academic year, the school awarded the following:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 79 awarded in Environmental Science and 3 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 9 awarded in Environmental Studies.

25. University of Massachusetts Boston

Type: 4-year, public institution

Graduation rate: 49%

Undergraduate acceptance rate: 79%

Tuition and required fees: $15,172 for in-state | $36,145 for out-of-state

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) is a public research university and the only public research university in Boston, as well as the third-largest campus in the five-campus University of Massachusetts system. With an undergraduate admission rate of 79%, UMass Boston is less selective than UMass Amherst and one of the easier colleges to get into in Massachusetts. Despite its comparatively low graduation rate of 49%, UMass Boston still boasts an impressive environmental science academic repertoire. 

The University of Massachusetts Boston is loaded with several undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental sciences and studies. Some of these undergraduate programs include:

On the graduate level, UMass Boston offers 6 different programs through its School for the Environment. These include:

In the academic year 2021, according to NCES data, the University of Massachusetts Boston conferred the following environmental degrees:

  • Bachelor’s degrees: 52 awarded in Environmental Science and 6 awarded in Environmental Studies.
  • Master’s degrees: 12 awarded in Environmental Science.
  • Doctoral degrees: 1 awarded in Environmental Science.

The Bottom Line on the Best Colleges for Environmental Science

The best colleges for environmental science do not really reveal any distinct geographic patterns. The colleges that made our top-25 list are spread all over the US. One pattern that does emerge is the fact that, out of the 25 best colleges for environmental science, only 5 of them are private, not-for-profit colleges. The other 20 are public universities. This makes a lot of sense when you consider that public research and land-grant research institutions have huge amounts of resources to enable them to have extensive environmental science programs. 

Since so many of the best environmental science schools are public universities, if you’re planning on applying to one of these colleges, you’ll have to take into account the difference between in-state and out-of-state costs of tuition and fees. Although the private colleges all have higher costs of attendance than the public colleges, the cost of out-of-state tuition at the public schools can climb quite high. For instance, at UC Davis, the in-state cost of tuition and required fees is approximately $15,258, versus an out-of-state cost of $46,284. 

This is why it’s imperative that you look into college scholarships and apply for them. Even if you think there’s nothing particularly special or unique about yourself, you’d be surprised how many scholarships are out there for anyone to win. Check out BrokeScholar’s huge collection of scholarships and student discounts to help combat the high cost of attending colleges like the ones mentioned here.

Methodology

In order to determine the best colleges for environmental science in the US, we analyzed 202 four-year public and private, not-for-profit colleges that award degrees in the following fields:

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies

This list was generated by sourcing the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for data. Student population numbers, admission rates, and graduation rates come from the NCES. The costs of tuition and required fees were collected from individual college websites and may differ from what you’d actually be charged if you attend. The 202 colleges were then scored based on how many bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees they awarded per academic year in environmental science and environmental studies; the number of these degrees in ratio to the college’s student population; and the number of environmental science and studies programs at each individual college.

Andrew DePietro

Author: Andrew DePietro

Senior Researcher, and Content Strategist

Andrew DePietro is a finance writer covering topics such as entrepreneurship, investing, real estate and college for BrokeScholar, Forbes, CreditKarma, and more.

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