### SUMMARY

 Going to school for Environmental Studies is a valuable choice and usually an essential first step for undergrads planning to enter a career as an environmental policy specialist, an urban planner, or a sustainability specialist. In fact, environmental studies is somewhat popular ranking as the 64th most popular area of study. Last academic year, there were 7,421 environmental studies degrees conferred. In-state tuition for environmental studies at private universities is, on average, 4.4 times more pricey than their public equivalents.

 There are 446 institutions that offer environmental studies. 446 universities is on par with other majors offered in the United States. If you are looking to surround yourself with other environmental studies students, consider looking at schools in California which have the most undergraduates admitted to environmental studies annually. More generally, the best region to pursue environmental studies is in the Far West region with [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley), [University of California-Santa Barbara](/colleges/university-of-california-santa-barbara), and [University of California-Santa Cruz](/colleges/university-of-california-santa-cruz) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection of the best conference to study environmental studies is the Pacific-12 Conference with [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe), [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley), and [University of Colorado Boulder](/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder) representing the conference. That said, our choice for the best college for environmental studies is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university), and here you can find our comprehensive list for the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges).

 The objectively 'best' school does not have to be the best school for you. There are tons of angels to think about when choosing college. Stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food would alter your feelings of where to go to university. At authority.org, we've examined the pros and cons for you. If, as an example, you are interested in which environmental studies university boasts the top campus, the answer is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university). If, for example, you are very interested in which college has the top campus, we have a whole list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through professor reviews, student reviews, government databases, and more in order to evaluate every major in the United States in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can explore our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand, from that list, our choice for the university with the best student life for environmental studies is [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor). Are you curious why? Continue reading to learn more about Authority's top selections. Many of our decisions might surprise you.

 If cost is a significant deciding factor in your decisions, you might consider avoiding [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university). [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university)&nbspappears to be our most expensive school for environmental studies, at least for out of state students. That being said, we have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the expense at [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university)&nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you may want to know that environmental studies is the 3rd most expensive major in the United States, with an average expense of $55,400. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for environmental studies on our list is Maine with costs at the main three colleges Bates College at $55,683, Bowdoin College of $55,822, and costs at Colby College of $55,822. Even more broadly, the most costly region for environmental studies is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with a cost of $57,640, [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, and [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university) with a cost of $57,112.

 Our cheapest region for environmental studies is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Fort Lewis College](/colleges/fort-lewis-college) with a cost of $17,712, [Western Colorado University](/colleges/western-colorado-university) with a cost of $18,096, and [University of Wyoming](/colleges/university-of-wyoming) with a cost of $13,392. More optimistically, the most affordable college for environmental studies is [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison). Authority.org's full list of the most affordable colleges can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state students can anticipate paying about $10,800 for a degree in environmental studies. The price grows substantially to a median of $25,500 for an out-of-state public-school undergraduate. Our pick for the university constituting the best value for environmental studies: [Duke University](/colleges/duke-university). On this page you can see our comprehensive list on the schools we believe to be the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. Do know, this section is predicated on out-of-state tuition costs. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition is considered, but as we do not know what state(s) you might qualify for in-state tuition, we are approaching this discussion through out-of-state tuition costs.

 Earnings for environmental studies majors range widely, but two-years after graduation students will often make around $44,900. While there is much variation in earnings potential; highest paid earners can enjoy pay up to $78,100. Straight out of college, the lowest end positions within the environmental studies field make $25,900, which isn't that bad. The highest earning grads from environmental studies have come from [Duke University](/colleges/duke-university)&nbspand if you are looking for colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The general diversity of environmental studies ranks on the higher end, coming within the 57th percentile of majors nationally. The school with the highest composite diversity for environmental studies is [Swarthmore College](/colleges/swarthmore-college)&nbspand here you can find our general list of the universities with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The overall financial diversity of Environmental Studies only is within the 19th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is actually above financial diversity, ranking in the 45th percentile. White undergraduates compose the largest share, 63%, of students majoring in environmental studies. Additionally, 62% of undergraduates seeking an environmental studies major are women.

 The median score of environmental studies professors is 4 stars, a ranking which is surprisingly the median for every major; which is a fine. If you are interested in the most popular environmental studies instructor in the nation, take a look at Jeffrey Wilson at [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](/colleges/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley). It might surprise you, but the top rated environmental studies instructors according to students come from [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley). If we incorporate information beyond basic rankings we find that the college with comprehensively the best instructors for environmental studies is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university). You will find more detail on our ever evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), as well as many of the best examples of instructors nationwide.

 Finally, the hardest university to get into for environmental studies is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we do have a general list of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). But, we hope you believe that considering the education process from context primarily formed from superlatives can create issues. We encourage you to read our more focused pages on different topics and peruse a few of our background articles on important details to consider as your university search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Environmental studies is the 64th most popular degree in America, with 7,421 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #65 [Neuroscience](/rankings/best-colleges-for-neuroscience), and narrowly lost to #63 [Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering](/rankings/best-colleges-for-bioengineering-and-biomedical-engineering).

 The degree is offered at a total of 446 colleges across the nation, and is the 47th most widely offered degree. Given that environmental studies is offered at 63% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.

 It is also worth noting that about 2 in 5 colleges offering environmental studies are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The far west produces the most environmental studies graduates, largely led by [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley), while it’s the Pacific-12 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) and [University of California-Santa Barbara](/colleges/university-of-california-santa-barbara).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more environmental studies graduates than [Samford University](/colleges/samford-university), which graduated 333 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study environmental studies). More students studied environmental studies as a percentage of total students at [Warren Wilson College](/colleges/warren-wilson-college) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Environmental studies is the 3rd most expensive major in America, with a median cost of $55,420 among the top 50 programs (just ahead of #4, [Econometrics and Quantitative Economics](rankings/best-colleges-for-econometrics-and-quantitative-economics), with a median cost of $55,040).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with top 50 environmental studies programs predominantly led by [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with an annual cost of $57,640. The most expensive state for environmental studies is Maine led by [Bates College](/colleges/bates-college) and [Bowdoin College](/colleges/bowdoin-college).

 Public schools with solid programs by and large charge 77.36% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 46.75% less than your average private school. So, if you're hoping to attend a state school, make sure you qualify for in-state tuition ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for environmental studies is [Colgate University](/colleges/colgate-university), which is the 9th most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry](/colleges/suny-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry). It costs just $16,980 per year, but it's its environmental studies program is ranked #64. If you’re looking for a higher ranked, but still affordable college, [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison)  could be right for you, ranked #24 with an in-state cost of just $9,273. Another more affordable pick would be #12, [University of Colorado Boulder](/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder) in Boulder County, CO with a cost of $10,728 for in-state students and $36,546 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Starting college is a serious investment for most undergraduates. It is important to lack doubt you increase your earning power. We intend for the following career and income information to assist you in deciding your major at college.

 The average Environmental Studies student earns a first year income of $36,958 a year (close to national median 53rd percentile). Later on in their careers, they can bring home as high as $78,057 to as little as $25,938, but average about $44,877. For context, that is 16% higher than the nation wide average.

 The most popular job placement for an Environmental Studies graduate is Analyst, which normally earn approximately $54,000; next are Consultant and Field Service Technician, which commonly earn close to $56,000 and $45,000 respectively.

 The Southeast has the highest grossing Environmental Studies graduates. AL has the highest earning Environmental Studies alumni of any state. Patriot League has the most well paid Environmental Studies graduates of any conference..



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Environmental Studies: Median Professor Rating: 4 / 5, which is average.

 Instructors repeatedly play a heavy role in your college experience, no matter what you major in. An amazing professor can help a student find their passion and set you up for future success. On the other hand, an ineffective professor can drive a lot of frustration or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Environmental Studies have a median student rating of 4 out of 5, putting them in the upper 54th percentile in the US based on student approval. Suprisingly, this major is exactly the median for professor rating, which, in our opinion, is remarkably average! Professors of Environmental Studies barely edged-out those from ["Health and Fitness"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-health-and-fitness), whereas ["Human Sciences"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-human-sciences)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Environmental Studies.

 Now for some statistics about Environmental Studies professors. Colleges located in distant rural areas tend to have the best Environmental Studies professors. The USA South Athletic Conference has the highest rated Environmental Studies professors. The Far West region has the highest rated Environmental Studies professors. Public schools tend to have higher rated Environmental Studies professors than private institutions. Finally, Nevada has the highest rated Environmental Studies professors in America.

 Jeffrey Wilson, professor at [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](/colleges/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley)&nbspin Edinburg, TX is the most popular Environmental Studies professor in the nation. Joseph Villari, professor at [George Mason University](/colleges/george-mason-university)&nbspin Fairfax, VA is the highest rated Environmental Studies professor in the nation, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Take a look at which colleges have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College can be a fabulously revelatory investment in one's life; it is an occasion for individual progress and development. Pupils begin to discover who they are and build many of the necessary skills to be a flourishing member of society. But growth is more than what one learns in a classroom environment - the late nights discussing Noam Chomsky with a peer, the wild anecdote received from an eccentric professor, the exposure to a different way of thinking. As such, finding a diverse college vastly enhances what you gain from your time in university.

 Environmental Studies is a slightly more racially diverse major than average\*. 63% of the nation's Environmental Studies majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(15%), latino students (12%), and asian students (8%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-Davis](/colleges/university-of-california-davis) located in Davis, CA.

 Second, Environmental Studies significatly skews female, with 62% of students majoring in Environmental Studies identifying as women. [Southern Methodist University](/colleges/southern-methodist-university) in Dallas, TX has the most gender balanced student body in the top 100.

 Another significant type of diversity is wealth diversity. Sadly, Environmental Studies is one of the US' least financially diverse subjects (Bottom 20%). 33% of its majors come from very high income homes, 15% are from households with $48,000 to $75,000 annual incomes, and 23% grew up in low income homes. [Allegheny College](/colleges/allegheny-college) is the most economically diverse school in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Environmental Studies. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the California Collegiate Athletic Association is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 8%
* Black: 2%
* Latino: 12%
* White: 63%
* Other: 15%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 38%
* Female: 62%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 23%
* 30k - 48k: 14%
* 48k - 75k: 15%
* 75k - 110k: 15%
* Over 110k: 33%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 57%
* Out of State: 34%
* International: 9%


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2023 Environmental Studies Salary

There are about 25,448 students enrolled in Environmental Studies in the USA.

SALARY