by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 70 U.S. colleges awarded 1,326 degrees and certificates in Geography and Environmental Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 29 schools in its 2027 Best Geography and Environmental Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Its 16 related occupations pay an average median salary of $79,033 a year.
Studying Geography and Environmental Studies covers A Program That Focuses On Interactions Between People And The Natural And Built Environments. Includes Instruction In Climate Science, Sustainability, Environmental Science And Policy, Research Methods, Geographic Information Systems (Gis), Human Geography, Physical Geography, Remote Sensing, And Public Policy.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, geography and environmental studies is a popular field of study, with 1,326 degrees awarded annually. 70 colleges award geography and environmental studies degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 82.
By level, the 1,326 awards include 4 certificates, 927 bachelor’s degrees, 304 master’s degrees and 91 doctorates.
Women earned 48% of geography and environmental studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (640 of 1,326). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (864) and Hispanic or Latino (120), and international students earned 128.
College Factual ranks 29 schools in its 2027 Best Geography and Environmental Studies Schools ranking, including 25 for bachelor’s degrees and 3 for master’s degrees. It also ranks geography and environmental studies schools within 9 states. In all, 70 colleges offer geography and environmental studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Geography and Environmental Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common geography and environmental studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 927 of the 1,326 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to geography and environmental studies call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a geography and environmental studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 927 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 304 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 91 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to geography and environmental studies, at 37.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 37.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.6% |
| Master’s degree | 18.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
16 occupations are related to Geography and Environmental Studies, with an average median salary of $79,033; the strongest outlook belongs to Conservation Scientists, at 13.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor and College Professor.
The occupation related to geography and environmental studies with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | 420,756 | -3.5% |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 287,657 | 10.6% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
Geography and Environmental Studies graduates earn a median $52,946 four years after completing their program, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 4 years | $52,946 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to geography and environmental studies is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
