Best Colleges for Environmental Science (2026)

270 programs ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.

270

Programs

$44,609

Avg Field Earnings

$21,274

Avg Net Price

67%

Avg Admit Rate

There are 270 accredited Environmental Science programs across U.S. colleges and universities, with graduate earnings ranging from $17,372 to $75,497. San Jose State University produces the highest-earning graduates, while the average program graduate earns $44,609 within four years of completion. Whether you're focused on maximizing earning potential or finding the best value, this data — sourced from the U.S. Department of Education — helps you compare programs side by side.

Quick Facts — Environmental Science Programs

Highest Earning
San Jose State University

$75,497field earnings

Most Selective
Yale University

5%acceptance rate

Best Grad Rate
Yale University

97%6-yr grad rate

Most Affordable
CUNY Queens College

$3,830avg net price

Top 15 Colleges for Environmental Science by Graduate Earnings

Ranked by field-specific earnings after graduation. Public and private nonprofit only.

#SchoolEarnings
1San Jose State University$75,497
2University of Maryland Global Campus$72,828
3University of California-Berkeley$72,049
4Colgate University$70,524
5University of California-Los Angeles$69,142
6Bentley University$68,600
7The University of Alabama$66,481
8Massachusetts Maritime Academy$64,846
9Seton Hall University$64,641
10Southern New Hampshire University$64,484
11University of California-Davis$63,206
12Bucknell University$63,177
13University of Redlands$62,460
14University of California-San Diego$62,369
15University of Southern California$62,010

Best Value Environmental Science Programs

Lowest net price among schools with above-median Environmental Science graduate earnings (above $45,180).

#1 Best ValuePublic
California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA

Net Price

$5,918

Field Earnings

$57,249

#2 Best ValuePublic
University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

Net Price

$6,351

Field Earnings

$50,192

#3 Best ValuePublic
California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA

Net Price

$8,931

Field Earnings

$54,749

#4 Best ValuePublic
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA

Net Price

$10,017

Field Earnings

$49,044

#5 Best ValuePublic
California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA

Net Price

$10,512

Field Earnings

$60,564

What the Data Tells Us

  • 18 of the top 15 programs by earnings are at public universities — 7 are private nonprofits.
  • 2The #1 program (San Jose State University) pays 69% more than the average Environmental Science program nationally.
  • 3Average acceptance rate among Environmental Science programs is 67% — selectivity varies widely by school.
  • 4Best-value programs combine above-median earnings (>$45,180) with lower-than-average net prices.
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All Environmental Science Programs

All 270 institutions offering Environmental Science. Click column headers to sort. Includes for-profit institutions.

SchoolCityStateTypeField EarningsAdmit RateNet Price
San Jose State UniversitySan JoseCAPublic$75,49780%$13,741
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphiMDPublic$72,828N/A$14,514
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyCAPublic$72,04912%$14,979
Colgate UniversityHamiltonNYPrivate Nonprofit$70,52412%$29,107
University of California-Los AngelesLos AngelesCAPublic$69,1429%$14,013
Bentley UniversityWalthamMAPrivate Nonprofit$68,60048%$38,787
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosaALPublic$66,48176%$22,150
Columbia Southern UniversityOrange BeachALPrivate For-Profit$65,626N/A$14,975
Massachusetts Maritime AcademyBuzzards BayMAPublic$64,84695%$26,661
Seton Hall UniversitySouth OrangeNJPrivate Nonprofit$64,64179%$28,921
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchesterNHPrivate Nonprofit$64,48496%$33,742
University of California-DavisDavisCAPublic$63,20642%$15,288
Bucknell UniversityLewisburgPAPrivate Nonprofit$63,17732%$40,429
University of RedlandsRedlandsCAPrivate Nonprofit$62,46081%$22,867
University of California-San DiegoLa JollaCAPublic$62,36925%$11,750
University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAPrivate Nonprofit$62,01010%$31,927
San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCAPublic$61,93034%$16,174
University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAPrivate Nonprofit$61,93051%$39,495
Tulane University of LouisianaNew OrleansLAPrivate Nonprofit$61,56015%$43,939
Hobart William Smith CollegesGenevaNYPrivate Nonprofit$60,88757%$31,057
George Washington UniversityWashingtonDCPrivate Nonprofit$60,69044%$37,454
California State University-SacramentoSacramentoCAPublic$60,56494%$10,512
California State University-East BayHaywardCAPublic$58,90597%$11,276
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege StationTXPublic$58,82463%$20,924
Occidental CollegeLos AngelesCAPrivate Nonprofit$58,58240%$39,329
Cornell UniversityIthacaNYPrivate Nonprofit$58,4408%$32,337
Santa Clara UniversitySanta ClaraCAPrivate Nonprofit$58,14044%$50,959
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew BrunswickNJPublic$57,74365%$23,519
Rutgers University-NewarkNewarkNJPublic$57,74379%$19,407
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPAPrivate Nonprofit$57,41678%$38,428
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCAPublic$57,26228%$13,825
California State University-San BernardinoSan BernardinoCAPublic$57,24998%$5,918
Duke UniversityDurhamNCPrivate Nonprofit$56,7777%$34,454
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAPublic$56,71857%$23,790
Villanova UniversityVillanovaPAPrivate Nonprofit$56,54925%$44,876
San Francisco State UniversitySan FranciscoCAPublic$56,38796%$12,882
Elon UniversityElonNCPrivate Nonprofit$55,58067%$41,048
Denison UniversityGranvilleOHPrivate Nonprofit$55,44517%$38,111
William Paterson University of New JerseyWayneNJPublic$55,27993%$17,764
Washington CollegeChestertownMDPrivate Nonprofit$55,20366%$29,095
Sonoma State UniversityRohnert ParkCAPublic$55,16695%$13,801
Randolph-Macon CollegeAshlandVAPrivate Nonprofit$55,00083%$27,759
Towson UniversityTowsonMDPublic$54,96683%$16,791
Iowa State UniversityAmesIAPublic$54,86089%$18,165
California State University-Long BeachLong BeachCAPublic$54,74947%$8,931
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege ParkMDPublic$54,19345%$15,590
American Public University SystemCharles TownWVPrivate For-Profit$54,110N/A$9,104
The University of the SouthSewaneeTNPrivate Nonprofit$53,23751%$27,498
Rowan UniversityGlassboroNJPublic$53,12578%$22,185
University of California-RiversideRiversideCAPublic$53,05263%$13,707
University of North GeorgiaDahlonegaGAPublic$53,05072%$10,785
State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburghNYPublic$53,04975%$16,547
University of HoustonHoustonTXPublic$52,88670%$13,853
Emory UniversityAtlantaGAPrivate Nonprofit$52,86011%$23,911
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborMIPublic$52,39118%$14,832
Roger Williams UniversityBristolRIPrivate Nonprofit$51,64088%$38,123
California State University-Monterey BaySeasideCAPublic$51,60695%$14,487
Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookNYPublic$51,55649%$18,430
University of DelawareNewarkDEPublic$51,18965%$16,931
University at AlbanyAlbanyNYPublic$51,11770%$18,486
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenverCOPublic$51,11399%$14,294
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaignILPublic$50,97844%$15,201
Ball State UniversityMuncieINPublic$50,87072%$15,898
Binghamton UniversityVestalNYPublic$50,86338%$21,364
University of California-IrvineIrvineCAPublic$50,84626%$12,840
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluthMNPublic$50,76582%$18,464
Northeastern UniversityBostonMAPrivate Nonprofit$50,6046%$32,116
Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand JunctionCOPublic$50,33181%$15,331
Western Washington UniversityBellinghamWAPublic$50,22491%$18,680
SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuseNYPublic$50,19783%$18,730
University of FloridaGainesvilleFLPublic$50,19224%$6,351
University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver FallsWIPublic$49,88082%$14,714
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCPublic$49,87219%$12,983
Willamette UniversitySalemORPrivate Nonprofit$49,84579%$23,663
University of California-Santa CruzSanta CruzCAPublic$49,82863%$16,607
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbiaSCPublic$49,48161%$24,532
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherstMAPublic$49,21858%$23,691
Boston CollegeChestnut HillMAPrivate Nonprofit$49,11116%$39,866
Gettysburg CollegeGettysburgPAPrivate Nonprofit$49,04848%$30,086
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattleWAPublic$49,04443%$13,485
University of Washington-Bothell CampusBothellWAPublic$49,04492%$10,898
University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacomaWAPublic$49,04483%$10,017
University of Rhode IslandKingstonRIPublic$48,97077%$19,899
The University of Texas at San AntonioSan AntonioTXPublic$48,95588%$11,234
University of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOPublic$48,88183%$21,480
University of IowaIowa CityIAPublic$48,82585%$21,398
Loyola University ChicagoChicagoILPrivate Nonprofit$48,82281%$35,196
Oberlin CollegeOberlinOHPrivate Nonprofit$48,76233%$39,184
University of ArkansasFayettevilleARPublic$48,42872%$17,525
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNormanOKPublic$48,32777%$17,413
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMDPublic$48,30674%$18,328
University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookstonMNPublic$48,21258%$10,874
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmahaNEPublic$48,07487%$12,791
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolisMNPublic$48,03077%$17,139
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempeAZPublic$47,97790%$13,670
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdaleAZPublic$47,97764%N/A
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbusOHPublic$47,92951%$18,292
Temple UniversityPhiladelphiaPAPublic$47,80383%$29,219
Clemson UniversityClemsonSCPublic$47,75338%$22,112
Dartmouth CollegeHanoverNHPrivate Nonprofit$47,6716%$28,619
Upper Iowa UniversityFayetteIAPrivate Nonprofit$47,57393%$23,172
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesvilleVAPublic$47,45717%$22,881
Oakland UniversityRochester HillsMIPublic$47,28470%$13,584
George Mason UniversityFairfaxVAPublic$47,28389%$18,287
Oregon State UniversityCorvallisORPublic$47,25079%$19,568
Bates CollegeLewistonMEPrivate Nonprofit$47,21013%$30,703
University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen BayWIPublic$47,09188%$12,878
Michigan State UniversityEast LansingMIPublic$47,06984%$20,751
University of Massachusetts-BostonBostonMAPublic$47,00383%$18,282
Augustana CollegeRock IslandILPrivate Nonprofit$46,92968%$12,437
University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurhamNHPublic$46,89687%$23,261
American UniversityWashingtonDCPrivate Nonprofit$46,78047%$41,945
Middlebury CollegeMiddleburyVTPrivate Nonprofit$46,75810%$25,934
Baylor UniversityWacoTXPrivate Nonprofit$46,59551%$41,942
University of Nevada-RenoRenoNVPublic$46,53485%$15,402
University of New EnglandBiddefordMEPrivate Nonprofit$46,50789%$37,109
Keene State CollegeKeeneNHPublic$46,42189%$19,164
Cleveland State UniversityClevelandOHPublic$46,41195%$16,065
University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenixAZPrivate For-Profit$46,315N/A$13,571
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntarioCAPrivate For-Profit$46,315N/AN/A
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonWIPublic$46,19343%$16,928
St. John's University-New YorkQueensNYPrivate Nonprofit$46,18180%$26,985
Plymouth State UniversityPlymouthNHPublic$46,17391%$19,685
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAPublic$46,04793%$19,452
University of ConnecticutStorrsCTPublic$46,03554%$22,886
Texas State UniversitySan MarcosTXPublic$46,02089%$16,438
Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdochesTXPublic$46,00688%$15,152
Brown UniversityProvidenceRIPrivate Nonprofit$45,9685%$26,572
Brandeis UniversityWalthamMAPrivate Nonprofit$45,95135%$33,885
Clark UniversityWorcesterMAPrivate Nonprofit$45,81142%$27,711
University of WyomingLaramieWYPublic$45,68597%$11,779
Westfield State UniversityWestfieldMAPublic$45,49381%$18,561
Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint PeterMNPrivate Nonprofit$45,25462%$26,895
Dickinson CollegeCarlislePAPrivate Nonprofit$45,23843%$32,191
University of Massachusetts-LowellLowellMAPublic$45,21585%$18,627
University of ArizonaTucsonAZPublic$45,14486%$15,960
Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztownPAPublic$45,01995%$21,205
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas CityMOPublic$44,93875%$12,837
University of Michigan-FlintFlintMIPublic$44,91669%$12,280
University of UtahSalt Lake CityUTPublic$44,91187%$13,172
Colby CollegeWatervilleMEPrivate Nonprofit$44,6997%$23,939
University of Michigan-DearbornDearbornMIPublic$44,54859%$10,904
Purdue University GlobalWest LafayetteINPublic$44,508N/A$12,267
Kansas State UniversityManhattanKSPublic$44,48679%$17,883
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewaterWIPublic$44,45583%$14,785
Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwahNJPublic$44,16573%$20,360
University of VermontBurlingtonVTPublic$44,13160%$20,860
Saint Johns UniversityCollegevilleMNPrivate Nonprofit$44,04790%$27,018
Seattle UniversitySeattleWAPrivate Nonprofit$43,72676%$34,802
Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus ChristiTXPublic$43,42589%$15,137
St Olaf CollegeNorthfieldMNPrivate Nonprofit$43,25452%$22,752
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendaleMIPublic$43,06495%$17,096
Shepherd UniversityShepherdstownWVPublic$43,02996%$12,391
CUNY Queens CollegeQueensNYPublic$42,93269%$3,830
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincolnNEPublic$42,89677%$17,424
SUNY at Purchase CollegePurchaseNYPublic$42,87273%$19,067
University of South FloridaTampaFLPublic$42,84341%$10,043
Miami University-OxfordOxfordOHPublic$42,77082%$27,662
SUNY OneontaOneontaNYPublic$42,72170%$18,833
Central Michigan UniversityMount PleasantMIPublic$42,66191%$16,041
Barnard CollegeNew YorkNYPrivate Nonprofit$42,6228%$39,253
DePaul UniversityChicagoILPrivate Nonprofit$42,41274%$29,141
Florida State UniversityTallahasseeFLPublic$42,24425%$10,997
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalbILPublic$42,06970%$12,909
University of San DiegoSan DiegoCAPrivate Nonprofit$42,00747%$31,265
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint CloudMNPublic$41,51895%$14,485
University of Houston-Clear LakeHoustonTXPublic$41,36875%$11,056
University of KentuckyLexingtonKYPublic$41,14992%$17,218
Portland State UniversityPortlandORPublic$40,96891%$12,932
Knox CollegeGalesburgILPrivate Nonprofit$40,88171%$24,875
Texas Tech UniversityLubbockTXPublic$40,84771%$20,071
Lewis & Clark CollegePortlandORPrivate Nonprofit$40,84275%$36,084
Rhode Island CollegeProvidenceRIPublic$40,75281%$10,988
Tufts UniversityMedfordMAPrivate Nonprofit$40,04410%$35,435
Westminster UniversitySalt Lake CityUTPrivate Nonprofit$40,00269%$26,536
Vermont State UniversityRandolphVTPublic$39,99783%$20,865
Delaware Valley UniversityDoylestownPAPrivate Nonprofit$39,90392%$27,243
Stockton UniversityGallowayNJPublic$39,76588%$19,634
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleighNCPublic$39,68040%$16,931
Eastern Washington UniversityCheneyWAPublic$39,67192%$13,091
Roanoke CollegeSalemVAPrivate Nonprofit$39,58880%$27,786
Longwood UniversityFarmvilleVAPublic$39,39185%$20,814
Ithaca CollegeIthacaNYPrivate Nonprofit$39,37870%$32,965
Salisbury UniversitySalisburyMDPublic$39,36689%$16,456
University of MaineOronoMEPublic$39,29796%$18,045
Boise State UniversityBoiseIDPublic$39,29684%$19,182
University of West FloridaPensacolaFLPublic$39,20957%$8,155
Bemidji State UniversityBemidjiMNPublic$39,19571%$17,050
Ashford UniversitySan DiegoCAPrivate For-Profit$39,133N/A$25,321
University of DenverDenverCOPrivate Nonprofit$39,01771%$36,037
Purdue University-Main CampusWest LafayetteINPublic$38,98950%$13,945
Florida International UniversityMiamiFLPublic$38,95759%$9,133
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukeeWIPublic$38,93688%$16,177
Bridgewater CollegeBridgewaterVAPrivate Nonprofit$38,83891%$20,173
Allegheny CollegeMeadvillePAPrivate Nonprofit$38,81159%$21,900
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbiaMOPublic$38,80877%$19,889
The University of MontanaMissoulaMTPublic$38,77396%$17,118
University of RochesterRochesterNYPrivate Nonprofit$38,76236%$30,248
Bowdoin CollegeBrunswickMEPrivate Nonprofit$38,6388%$20,786
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNCPublic$38,50874%$19,472
Juniata CollegeHuntingdonPAPrivate Nonprofit$38,50872%$27,663
University of North Carolina at PembrokePembrokeNCPublic$38,40092%$9,918
California State University-ChicoChicoCAPublic$38,31994%$14,838
Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZPublic$38,20091%$14,922
The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanoogaTNPublic$37,77077%$12,817
Wellesley CollegeWellesleyMAPrivate Nonprofit$37,72414%$25,008
Saint Michael's CollegeColchesterVTPrivate Nonprofit$37,71692%$30,033
University of ToledoToledoOHPublic$37,70295%$17,460
California State University-San MarcosSan MarcosCAPublic$37,36496%$10,550
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnatiOHPublic$36,99788%$23,156
Northern Michigan UniversityMarquetteMIPublic$36,95570%$17,485
California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcataCAPublic$36,89499%$13,167
Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland HeightsKYPublic$36,89496%$7,168
Kent State University at KentKentOHPublic$36,62287%$19,614
Eckerd CollegeSaint PetersburgFLPrivate Nonprofit$36,54279%$33,011
Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancasterPAPrivate Nonprofit$36,53632%$39,061
Appalachian State UniversityBooneNCPublic$36,42389%$16,487
Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgevilleGAPublic$35,95288%$18,809
University of OregonEugeneORPublic$35,91685%$21,782
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilantiMIPublic$35,65681%$17,084
University of Hawaii at HiloHiloHIPublic$35,43490%$12,063
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwaterOKPublic$35,38571%$16,378
University of PortlandPortlandORPrivate Nonprofit$35,34995%$36,371
Framingham State UniversityFraminghamMAPublic$35,03285%$16,698
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort MyersFLPublic$34,86677%$10,319
Rollins CollegeWinter ParkFLPrivate Nonprofit$34,84941%$33,847
University of Southern MainePortlandMEPublic$34,46579%$11,729
University of KansasLawrenceKSPublic$34,37488%$17,365
Fort Lewis CollegeDurangoCOPublic$34,20093%$17,339
Western Carolina UniversityCullowheeNCPublic$34,10587%$12,579
University of North Carolina AshevilleAshevilleNCPublic$33,87394%$12,865
University of Central FloridaOrlandoFLPublic$33,70040%$10,650
Stonehill CollegeEastonMAPrivate Nonprofit$33,69273%$29,969
Montana State UniversityBozemanMTPublic$33,47087%$20,593
Paul Smiths College of Arts and SciencePaul SmithsNYPrivate Nonprofit$33,39891%$24,583
St Lawrence UniversityCantonNYPrivate Nonprofit$33,27058%$30,561
Yale UniversityNew HavenCTPrivate Nonprofit$32,9095%$27,818
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolisINPublic$32,46981%$11,408
California State University-Channel IslandsCamarilloCAPublic$31,93893%$9,792
Warren Wilson CollegeSwannanoaNCPrivate Nonprofit$31,82078%$23,719
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomingtonINPublic$31,65580%$15,342
Western Colorado UniversityGunnisonCOPublic$31,31397%$16,773
SUNY BrockportBrockportNYPublic$31,22371%$15,844
The University of Texas at El PasoEl PasoTXPublic$31,207100%$10,726
University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonieWIPublic$31,12885%$17,365
University of IdahoMoscowIDPublic$31,02879%$13,782
Wofford CollegeSpartanburgSCPrivate Nonprofit$30,82459%$28,984
Southern Oregon UniversityAshlandORPublic$30,63283%$16,470
University of St ThomasSaint PaulMNPrivate Nonprofit$30,52085%$30,525
Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicagoILPublic$30,49070%$13,550
Utah State UniversityLoganUTPublic$30,24994%$12,869
Macalester CollegeSaint PaulMNPrivate Nonprofit$29,55928%$29,980
Skidmore CollegeSaratoga SpringsNYPrivate Nonprofit$29,11923%$34,581
Gonzaga UniversitySpokaneWAPrivate Nonprofit$28,76376%$36,371
Flagler CollegeSaint AugustineFLPrivate Nonprofit$28,17578%$29,951
Catawba CollegeSalisburyNCPrivate Nonprofit$27,38978%$18,210
University of Central ArkansasConwayARPublic$27,11890%$16,775
Lake Forest CollegeLake ForestILPrivate Nonprofit$26,99859%$27,499
Northland CollegeAshlandWIPrivate Nonprofit$25,56372%$20,780
Carthage CollegeKenoshaWIPrivate Nonprofit$25,55384%$24,813
Stetson UniversityDeLandFLPrivate Nonprofit$23,79086%$21,318
University of Puget SoundTacomaWAPrivate Nonprofit$23,43776%$38,920
Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth HadleyMAPrivate Nonprofit$22,79138%$29,562
Nova Southeastern UniversityFort LauderdaleFLPrivate Nonprofit$22,09873%$31,303
King's CollegeWilkes-BarrePAPrivate Nonprofit$22,08093%$23,281
Western Michigan UniversityKalamazooMIPublic$21,91985%$18,701
Smith CollegeNorthamptonMAPrivate Nonprofit$21,64820%$26,181
Pitzer CollegeClaremontCAPrivate Nonprofit$21,57017%$31,663
Luther CollegeDecorahIAPrivate Nonprofit$19,23973%$25,635
Colorado CollegeColorado SpringsCOPrivate Nonprofit$17,37220%$31,678

Showing 270 of 270 schools