by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 47 U.S. colleges awarded 773 degrees and certificates in Environmental Design. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 79% of graduates. College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental Design Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $40,905 one year after completing, rising to $56,693 after four years.
Imagine relaxing underneath the shade of a tree in a park, filled with the sounds of running water, birds singing and children playing on a jungle gym. Now imagine that it was you that designed the environment. Can you think of a better career? As an environmental design major, you will be prepared to design spaces where people live, work and play. This program teaches students how to use space and construct structures in an ecological sustainable, environmentally safe, and aesthetically pleasing manner.
Every college has its own requirements, but you would most likely be required to take classes such as architectural principles, design, landscape architecture, mathematics, CAD, interior design, management, physics, drawing, computer and urban planning. The classes will cover four main points: interior design, architecture, landscape, and urban planning.
Studying Environmental Design covers Environmental Design.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., environmental design is a popular field of study, with 773 degrees awarded annually. 47 colleges award environmental design degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 172.
By level, the 773 awards include 5 associate degrees, 614 bachelor’s degrees, 132 master’s degrees and 22 doctorates.
Women earned 57% of environmental design degrees and certificates in the latest year (444 of 773). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (395) and Hispanic or Latino (158), and international students earned 59.
College Factual ranks 18 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental Design Schools ranking, including 15 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks environmental design schools within 11 states. In all, 47 colleges offer environmental design programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Environmental Design Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common environmental design credential is the bachelor’s degree: 614 of the 773 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to environmental design call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Design and Building and Construction, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
This major entails a broad range of skills because it includes interior design, architecture, landscape, and urban planning. A student must be interested in how to use color, light, and texture. It is important to not be afraid to push the boundaries and think creatively and expressively; you will be required to understand the use of space while still be environmentally aware. It is essential to be able to work well with others in order to solve problems as a team. Depending on your role, communication skills and presentation skills will be necessary. You must be able to understand design and design elements. This means being able to see the big picture, while still focusing on the minute details.
Students will analyze and problem-solve ideas of change in the community while also recognizing social fairness and sustainable environments. They will use knowledge of both social and behavioral science when planning and designing their projects.
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How long an environmental design degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 614 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 132 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 22 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to environmental design, at 36.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.4% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| First professional degree | 13.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Environmental Design, with an average median salary of $83,607; the strongest outlook belongs to Landscape Architects, at 13.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Architecture Professor, Adjunct Instructor, Interior Design Faculty Member and Instructor.
With a degree in environmental design, students have many different options for careers because they will leave school with a broad set of skills. They can choose their own path based on their interests and focus more thoroughly on one of the four aspects of the major: interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning.
In order to focus more specifically on one of these aspects, the student will need to continue education with a more clear concentration.
When graduating with a degree in environmental design the salary rate will vary greatly based on what particular field the student decides to follow.
The occupation related to environmental design with the most projected jobs is Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, at 489,715.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 362,012 | 1.0% |
| Landscape Architects | 210,994 | 13.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
| Urban and Regional Planners | 52,637 | 8.1% |
Environmental Design graduates earn a median $40,905 one year after completing their program, $56,693 after four years and $59,648 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,905 |
| 4 years | $56,693 |
| 5 years | $59,648 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to environmental design is Architects, Except Landscape and Naval, with a median salary of $116,710.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $116,710 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Landscape Architects | $88,491 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $66,890 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
Environmental Design includes 4 concentrations that together award 773 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Environmental Design/Architecture (707), Sustainable Design/Architecture (44) and Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture (21). It has 8 similar majors in the Architecture/Urban Planning field, which together award 20,436 degrees a year; the largest are Architectural Sciences and Technology (10,337), Architecture (4,669) and City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning (2,179). Browse all Architecture/Urban Planning majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Environmental Design/Architecture | 707 |
| Sustainable Design/Architecture | 44 |
| Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture | 21 |
| Environmental Design, Other | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 10,337 |
| Architecture | 4,669 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,179 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,321 |
| Interior Architecture | 933 |
| Real Estate Development | 608 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 216 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 173 |
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