by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying 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. Continue reading for the important information every geography and environmental studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geography and environmental studies programs.
Across the country, geography and environmental studies is a popular field of study, with 1,008 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geography and Environmental Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 55 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geography and environmental studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geography and environmental studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Geography and Environmental Studies build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geography and environmental studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a geography and environmental studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geography and environmental studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geography and environmental studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 687 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 252 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 67 |
People currently working in careers related to geography and environmental studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geography and environmental studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in geography and environmental studies can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to geography and environmental studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geography and environmental studies.
| 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% |
Salaries for geography and environmental studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geography and environmental studies grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 55 different geography and environmental studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geography and environmental studies school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
