Students studying

Environmental Science

What Is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science is the study of how natural and unnatural phenomena affect the environment and planet Earth. It incorporates lessons and principles from biology, physical science, and information science to study these effects. In addition, a portion of environmental science is dedicated to forming and testing hypotheses related to solving environmental problems. Subjects studied under the umbrella of environmental science include: global climate change, alternative energy systems, forestry, and natural resource management. The best colleges for environmental science feature strong biology, forestry, and physical science departments.

The Environmental Science Degree

Many universities offer programs in environmental science and the subject is considered a generalist degree. Environmental science studies both natural and man-made environments as well as their interactions with different phenomena. The environmental science major encompasses traditional sciences like biology, ecology, and geology in addition to social sciences such as economics and sociology. An environmental science degree is available at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.

Environmental Science vs. Environmental Engineering

The fields of environmental science and environmental engineering are both concerned with studying man’s effects on the earth and environmental problems. The main difference between the two fields of study is where they operate in the process of creating a solution to these environmental issues. 

The environmental scientist performs research and experiments to generate a hypothesis about the effects of human phenomena on the environment. Once that data is collected and the hypothesis is made, an environmental engineer utilizes his or her knowledge to devise a solution to resolve the environmental problem. Both environmental science and environmental engineering work together in the process of discovering an issue and planning to fix it.

Would I Make a Good Environmental Scientist?

Because a large portion of an environmental scientist’s workload is studying effects on the planet, your first qualification should be a concern for the environment and a desire to create a livable future. It’s helpful to have knowledge of issues like climate change and sustainability as well as a passion for finding solutions to these problems to ensure a stable environment for the next several generations. The problems facing our environment can be challenging and environmental scientists need to be up to that challenge.

Environmental scientists spend a large portion of their days in the laboratory. In order to join this profession, you’ll need to be comfortable in a lab environment. This means that you’ll have to be familiar with lab equipment and safety procedures as well as the scientific method. In addition, environmental scientists spend a lot of time in the field so you’ll also need to be able to work while spending large portions of time outdoors. If you enjoy camping or exploring, that will come in handy on days when you’re in the field.

Associate Level

For students at the community college level, an associate degree in environmental science provides a foundational education in the field. Courses at the associate degree level cover topics like environmental issues, environmental protection regulations, and natural resources. In addition, students learn about how the scientific method is applied to the field. Through classroom lectures and lab exercises, students learn about problems currently facing the environment and hypothesize about possible solutions to them. 

Many students who earn an associate degree transfer to a college or university to complete a 4-year degree but some graduates enter the workforce in an entry-level position. Examples of classes at the associate degree level include: environmental ethics, environmental compliance, resource management, and environmental history.

Examples of Environmental Science Careers at the Associate Degree Level Include: Environmental Consultant, Environmental Lab Technician, and Environmental Advocate.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $41,000 (Environmental Lab Technician) to $48,000 (Environmental Consultant).

Baccalaureate Level

With environmental issues becoming a more pressing concern with each passing year, most colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. These programs feature a curriculum focusing on physical and environmental sciences. To provide a well-rounded education, these programs also include a number of liberal arts classes. 

The environmental science bachelor’s degree focuses on comprehensive issues like water shortages and provides lessons in deeper topics related to the field such as the role of overpopulation in environmental problems and management of national parks. Classes combine lectures with lab work, often performed outdoors in the field. A typical bachelor’s degree in environmental science takes four years to complete. 

Examples of classes at the baccalaureate level include: air pollution & control, soil biogeochemistry, waste management, environmental health policy, and wetland ecosystems.

Examples of Jobs for Environmental Science Majors at the Bachelor’s Degree Level Include: Landscape Ecologist, Geologist, Biologist, Restoration Ecologist, Conservation Assistant, Environmental Field Restoration Supervisor, Sustainability Consultant, Recycling Officer, and Marine Biologist.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $47,000 (Landscape Ecologist, Recycling Officer) to $67,000 (Geologist, Sustainability Consultant).

Graduate Level

For students who want to continue their education beyond the bachelor’s level, many graduate schools offer master’s degrees in environmental science. Although master’s programs in the field feature in-depth classes in the subject, they are equally focused on independent research. All master’s degree students choose a topic in which to specialize such as ecology, hydrology, and toxicology. Outside of the classroom, students conduct research and perform lab experiments on this topic, eventually culminating in a master’s thesis at the end of the program. If a student’s thesis passes review, it can then be published by the college or university press. A typical master’s degree program in environmental science can be completed in two to three years. Examples of classes at the master’s degree level include: paleoclimatology, geohydrology, geochemistry, and ecology.

Students who wish to teach environmental science at the university level or attain a high ranking research position can continue their graduate studies and earn a PhD in environmental science. All coursework at the PhD level is designed around a student’s chosen field of interest such as global warming, air pollution, natural resource management, or wildlife concentration. In order to earn a PhD, students must pass a comprehensive exam, compose a research dissertation, present it before faculty, and pass an oral examination.

Examples of Environmental Science Jobs You Can Get With a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science Include: Hydrologist, Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, Zoologist, Environmental Lawyer, and Environmental Engineer.

The average salary for these positions ranges from $54,000 (Environmental Scientist) to $79,000 (Hydrologist) to $113,000 (Environmental Lawyer).

Create a free account to find, finance and attend the college that's right for you.

Colleges

College placeholder image

As the first institution of higher education established on Navajo Nation, Navajo Technical University is a tribal college in northwest New Mexico. In order to provide students an educational foundation in tribal traditions and history, NTU’s School...

“…

By far the best first college am attending and my instructors are awesome. Never thought this college was like this but am looking forward to finishing my major here. I wouldn't prefer any other college to attend other then here.

” – Rodney from Crownpoint, NM
College placeholder image

The University of Montana Western is a public, 4-year institution established in the city of Dillon, and it is a member of the Montana University System. The college offers programs of study in 9 subjects, including Equine Studies, Education...

“…

I just know I can learn so much from this school! being a horse lover, that plans on owning horses, horse business, instructing and more this school just seems like a great fit. Not to mention they seem to have a great rodeo team!

” – lauren from Rochester, MN
College placeholder image

Northampton Community College is a 2-year community college in eastern Pennsylvania. NCC features 107 programs of study and offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates as well as an Honors Program. Graduates have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s...

“…

The teachers here are great. The work is challenging but I do not feel overworked. I feel that the work really relates to my major as well.

” – Ty from Chambersburg, PA
College placeholder image

Penn State Berks is a commonwealth campus of the state land-grant university Pennsylvania State University. The 258-acre campus is home to the Perkins Student Center, the Janssen Conference Center, the Herb Society’s garden and numerous residence...

“…

I am learning everything I always dreamed of! And that is a GREAT education!

” – Damaris from Philadelphia, PA
College placeholder image

Originally founded as the New Hampshire Technical Institute, NHTI, Concord’s Community College is a 2-year institution in New Hampshire’s capital city. NHTI is home to 92 areas of study with 12 programs available entirely online. In addition to their...

“…

this college works hard to make it's students feel comfortable and welcome. they do put effort into reducing the amount of stress a student feels, and calms the overwhelming new territory feeling that comes with the new experience. they definitely...

” – Emily from NH
College placeholder image

Lake Area Technical Institute is a 2-year technical college and the first technical school in South Dakota. Lake Area Tech features 30 academic programs in technical and career-based fields and 12 degrees that are available entirely online. The LATI...

College placeholder image

Northwest Indian College is a tribal institution on the Lummi Indian Reservation and the only accredited tribal college serving Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. As an institution dedicated to the study of Native cultures, NIC offers four bachelor’s...

“…

NWIC i8s rich in culture. Love the faculty and student life. Everyone has their own identity and story

” – Alicia from Canada
College placeholder image

Vermilion Community College is a public, 2-year institution established on an 80-acre campus nearby the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, Minnesota. Vermilion offers over 25 associate’s degree and certificate programs, including unique...

College placeholder image

Blue Ridge Community College is a 2-year community college situated in the mountains of western North Carolina. Part of the North Carolina Community College System, BRCC is home to 30 academic areas of study conferring degrees and certificates in...

Diablo Valley College

Diablo Valley College is a 2-year public institution located in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon, California. DVC boasts high transfer rates, with many of its students continuing their college careers at CSU and UC. The campus features a number of...

“…

Diablo Valley College has a variety of great professors that know what they are teaching. If you are focusing on a certain subject, DVC has the professors that you are looking for.

” – Shawn Steven from Antioch, CA
College placeholder image

Established in 1969, United Tribes Technical College is a 2-year, tribal institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota. UTTC offers diplomas, certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in 16 fields of study, with fully-online programs...

“…

I had an amazing opportunity to learn at UTTC. My instructors were well versed in the topics they were teaching, and were able to give me real world examples along with theory from my texts to support the lesson!

” – Bobby from Drumright, OK
College placeholder image

Established in 1987, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is a public, 2-year institution located within the reserve portion of Cloquet, Minnesota, with a satellite facility in Red Lake. The college offers over 30 academic areas of concentration...

CUNY Graduate School and University Center

CUNY Graduate School and University Center is rated as a Doctoral University with Highest Research Activity and set in Midtown Manhattan. The graduate school is home to several research centers and promotes interdisciplinary research and...

College placeholder image

Concordia University Nebraska is a private, Christ-centered institution established in the city of Seward and is part of the Concordia University System. The college’s 85-acre campus is home to over 20 academic buildings and residence halls, and...

“…

I am a Theology major in the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program here at Concordia and very much like the majority of the class I have taken thus far. I especially like the classes geared towards my two main areas of emphasis and the...

” – Nicholas from Broomfield, CO
College placeholder image

With a main campus along the banks of the Androscoggin River, White Mountains Community College is a 2-year institution in New Hampshire’s north country. WMCC offers 22 associate degree fields of study and 27 certificate-granting programs. To provide...

“…

I have had a 4.0 in all of my classes and I could not have done it without the knowledge and understanding of the incredible instructors in this institution.

” – Cheryl from Clarksville, NH
College placeholder image

Founded by the Bishops of Puerto Rico, the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico is a Catholic school in Ponce providing education to students of all faiths. PCUPR is home to seven academic schools including a recently added School of...

“…

I've been here since I graduated from High School.

” – JOSE from ADJUNTAS, PR
College placeholder image

Established in 1953, Cayuga Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campuses located in Auburn and Fulton, and it is a member of the SUNY college system. CCC offers 10 certificate programs and nearly 30 associate’s degree programs, as...

“…

Being the oldest out of four and just graduating from high school, I have received a lot of help on my financial aid, payment for my classes, where I can get my books, and I have been welcomed into the Women's' Soccer League. Everyone who works at...

” – Hannah from Cato, NY
College placeholder image

Sinte Gleska University is a 4-year, tribal institution located in Mission, South Dakota. Sinte Gleska offers over 20 academic programs, awarding certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. The college’s campus...

“…

Sinte Gleska offers four year degree programs in Human Services, Business, Lakota Studies and Information Technology,generally, with several minors. The university is open to the general public and core studies involve the Lakota Culture. SGU is...

” – Alicia from Parmelee, SD
College placeholder image

Established in 1912, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German is a private, 4-year institution located in southwestern Puerto Rico. The college offers over 30 undergraduate programs and 15 postgraduate programs, awarding degrees from an...

“…

The Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German campus is very beautiful and very fun place to be. There you make a lot of friends and you feel accepted. The best this about this university is that when you graduate from there, you will...

” – Madeline from Puerto Rico
College placeholder image

With campus on the shores of Little Wolf Lake, Leech Lake Tribal College is a 2-year tribal community college in northern Minnesota. LLTC offers degrees and certificates in 11 academic programs with a foundation in Anishinaabe values. As a Native...

College placeholder image

With campus on the Lake Traverse Reservation, Sisseton Wahpeton College is a tribal college in northeastern South Dakota serving the Sisseton and Wahpeton Native American Bands. SWC offers 11 associate degrees and five certificate-granting programs...

College placeholder image

Originally founded as a teacher’s college, Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamón is a Christian institution and a north Puerto Rico campus in the Inter American system. The Bayamón campus offers degree-granting programs in seven business...

College placeholder image

Situated on the Crow Indian Reservation, Little Big Horn College is a tribal college in south central Montana. Committed to the preservation of Crow culture and language, Little Big Horn offers eight associate degree programs including Crow Studies...

College placeholder image

With a campus situated in the Potomac Highlands, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is a 2-year institution serving a six-county area. Eastern WV confers degrees and certificates in 11 fields of study. Additionally, Eastern WV...

College placeholder image

Located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Aaniiih Nakoda College is a Native American tribal college in northern Montana. Although affiliated with the Reservation, Aaniiih Nakoda accepts both tribal and non-tribal students. With a mission of...

College placeholder image

Originally begun as a teacher training institution, the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico (Inter American University of Puerto Rico) in Ponce is a Christian university in southern Puerto Rico. Inter Ponce hosts five academic divisions...

“…

Is the best university. The professor's have a lot of knowledge. The facilities are comfortable.

” – Edwar from Puerto Rico
College placeholder image

Established in 1984, Stone Child College is a public, tribal institution located in Box Elder, Montana. SCC offers nearly 20 associate’s degree programs, a bachelor’s degree program in Elementary Education, and six career-oriented certificate...

College placeholder image

Established in 1978, Fort Peck Community College is a tribal, 2-year institution located in Poplar, Montana. The college offers eight certificate programs and 15 associate’s degree programs, including options for terminal degrees as well as degrees...

College placeholder image

With campus a short distance from the Missouri River, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College is a tribal college in western North Dakota operated by the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation. NHSC offers bachelor’s degrees in Native...

College placeholder image

Originally founded as a center for graduate studies, the University of New Mexico Los Alamos is a branch campus of UNM in northern New Mexico. UNM Los Alamos grants associate degrees and certificates in 23 fields of study. Additionally, students at...

College placeholder image

With campus on the shores of Keweenaw Bay, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College is a 2-year tribal community college in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. KBOCC confers associate degrees in five fields of study and hosts four certificate-granting programs...

College placeholder image

With a name bestowed by Pope John Paul II, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo is a Catholic university and a regional campus of the PCUPR system in northern Puerto Rico. PCUPR Arecibo offers bachelor’s degrees in over 160 fields of...

Imperial College London

Imperial is one of the world’s 10 top universities (QS World University Rankings 2024), in one of its most iconic cities – London, UK. With students from more than 140 countries (including a growing number of US students), and a specialist community...

Patrick Henry College

Patrick Henry College is a Christian institution located in Purcellville, VA. The 119 acre campus is located an hour west of Washington D.C., just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. PHC’s mission is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our...

College placeholder image

As one of six campuses of the Washington State University system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment and provides baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people, communities and economy of...