by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Environmental Science covers Environmental Science. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Biological, Chemical, And Physical Principles To The Study Of The Physical Environment And The Solution Of Environmental Problems, Including Subjects Such As Abating Or Controlling Environmental Pollution And Degradation; The Interaction Between Human Society And The Natural Environment; And Natural Resources Management. Includes Instruction In Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geosciences, Climatology, Statistics, And Mathematical Modeling. Examples: [Bioenvironmental Sciences]. Read on to learn the important information every environmental science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering environmental science programs.
Nationwide, environmental science is a widely-pursued major, with 10,679 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Environmental Science Schools ranking analyzes these 619 schools to determine the best overall colleges for environmental science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of environmental science programs later in this article.
Studies in Environmental Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations environmental science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a environmental science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a environmental science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several environmental science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 437 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 8,568 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,427 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 230 |
People currently working in careers related to environmental science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 48.7% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.1% |
| Some college courses | 5.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in environmental science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in environmental science can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to environmental science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to environmental science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Coroners | 499,816 | -4.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | 373,276 | 14.4% |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigators | 370,977 | 3.7% |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 287,657 | 10.6% |
| Customs Brokers | 249,561 | 5.2% |
| Compliance Officers | 184,804 | 8.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of environmental science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,020 |
| 4 years | $50,009 |
| 5 years | $58,179 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for environmental science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers environmental science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Coroners | $110,095 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | $85,399 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Compliance Officers | $71,138 |
| Customs Brokers | $67,529 |
With 619 different environmental science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased environmental science school rankings to help you.
Students interested in environmental science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Environmental Studies | 10,185 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation, General | 2,739 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Other | 250 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
