Best Colleges to Study Environmental Science and Sustainability
As the urgency to address environmental challenges grows, so does the demand for highly skilled professionals in this field. Comprehensive programs provide students with a thorough understanding of environmental science and offer invaluable hands-on experiences, cutting-edge research opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. Whether you're passionate about conservation, sustainability, or environmental policy, these programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact on the world.
As you research different schools, keep some key questions in mind:
Do undergraduates have access to laboratories, or are they exclusively for graduate students?
What ecological fieldwork is included in the program?
What independent projects or research opportunities are available for undergraduate students?
Is an internship required? What assistance does the school provide in finding internships?
Is there state-of-the-art technology to equip students to be at the forefront of the field?
We grouped our research by region and ecosystem, so you can decide on what kinds of ecosystems to explore and environments to study.
West Coast
University of California Berkeley
UC Berkeley provides ample research opportunities and encourages hands-on experiences and interdisciplinary collaboration. Located in the Bay Area, students benefit from proximity to diverse ecosystems and environmental challenges, fostering experiential learning. Berkeley's legacy of environmental leadership and innovation inspires students to become agents of change in addressing pressing environmental issues.
University of California Davis
UC Davis’s proximity to diverse ecosystems, including agricultural lands, wetlands, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, provides unique opportunities for hands-on learning and fieldwork. UC Davis offers interdisciplinary programs that integrate biology, ecology, chemistry, engineering, and policy, preparing students to address complex environmental challenges. Additionally, the university's strong emphasis on sustainability and its partnerships with industry and government organizations offer valuable networking and career opportunities for aspiring environmental scientists.
University of Washington Seattle
The University of Washington in Seattle’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences focuses on studying the environment through field-based research. Students learn how to use this knowledge in order to find solutions to real world problems. Close to forests, mountains, and coastal areas, UW Seattle offers unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and fieldwork. Additionally, the university's strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration equips students with the skills needed to address complex environmental challenges from multiple perspectives.
University of Oregon
With its proximity to diverse ecosystems like the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Range, UO offers robust environmental science programs with a focus on sustainability and conservation. Students can major in Environmental Studies or Environmental Science
Southwest
University of Colorado - Boulder
Students studying within the Department of Environmental Studies will learn through courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The university's commitment to research, sustainability initiatives, interdisciplinary approach, and community engagement enrich the student experience, equipping them to address complex environmental challenges effectively. Overall, UC-Boulder offers a holistic environment where students gain the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences needed to become leaders in environmental sustainability.
Arizona State University
ASU's School of Sustainability is one of the largest and most innovative sustainability programs in the world, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on sustainability solutions. ASU offers programs at their Tempe, Lake Havasu, and West Valley campuses, along with online opportunities.
Midwest
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
The Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management major at UMinn links policy, business, education, management, and science in an interdisciplinary program. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this is one of the top environmental science schools in the nation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW-Madison’s environmental science programs offer exceptional opportunities for research and fieldwork, particularly in areas such as freshwater ecology and conservation biology.
Mid-Atlantic
Allegheny College
Allegheny's Environmental Science & Sustainability program teaches students to analyze the relationships between humans and the environment that we live with and use. Students enrolled at Allegheny can either major in Environmental Science, which focuses on the chemistry and biology of our changing world, or major in Environmental Studies, which has a broader interdisciplinary scope and focuses on such fields as law and policy, art, literature, and philosophy.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
UMBC offers an environmental science program that combines classroom learning with hands-on research opportunities in areas such as Chesapeake Bay ecology and environmental chemistry.
Southeast
North Carolina State University
NC State's College of Natural Resources provides strong environmental science programs with focus on sustainable natural resource management and conservation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill's Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering provides comprehensive programs in environmental science and engineering, focusing on air and water quality, environmental health, and sustainable development.
University of South Carolina
USC's College of Arts and Sciences offers programs in environmental science and studies, with a focus on sustainability, conservation biology, and environmental policy. The university's location provides access to coastal and inland ecosystems for research and fieldwork.
University of Florida
The University of Florida’s location near unique ecosystems like the Everglades provides opportunities for fieldwork and hands-on learning. UF's commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives such as LEED-certified buildings and interdisciplinary collaborations addressing pressing environmental challenges. Additionally, its strong alumni network and career resources offer students pathways to impactful careers in environmental conservation and management.
Northeast
Colby College
The Colby Environmental Studies program is one of the oldest in the country and is nationally recognized for its excellence. The student population is encouraged to lend their skills and talents locally, nationally, and internationally to help solve environmental challenges. Colby prides itself on learning models that are project-based with plenty of field-research opportunities.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is located in New York State close to Syracuse. SUNY ESF is proud to be a leading post-secondary institution with a focus on environmental challenges. The college's mandate is to help students envision a society that meets human needs for the natural world while safeguarding living resources for future generations to observe and protect. SUNY ESF strives to create and educate leaders while inspiring and informing the public about our world.
University of Vermont
UVM's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources offers programs in environmental studies with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and environmental policy.
The University of Vermont in Burlington has 22 environmentally-themed majors and concentrations and is the 5th oldest university in New England. UVM offers a BS degree in Environmental Sciences through three streams within the university. Students are fortunate to have world-renowned environmental scientists in the classroom as professors, coupled with hands-on field and lab opportunities. Within the three schools, students can choose between a greater focus on either environmental sciences or liberal arts focus, or an understanding of the environment within the context of agricultural literacy.
University of New Hampshire
UNH's environmental science program emphasizes experiential learning and offers opportunities for research in fields such as climate change, water quality, and wildlife conservation. UNH's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences offers a range of environmental science programs, including marine and freshwater biology, environmental engineering, and climate science.
Schools with Guaranteed Internships in Environmental Sciences
These institutions typically have dedicated career services offices or related environmental science departments that assist students in finding internship placements and provide support throughout the internship process.
College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, Maine)
This college offers a unique interdisciplinary program in human ecology and emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, including internships in environmental fields.
Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, New York)
Bard College offers internship opportunities through its Center for Environmental Policy and Environmental and Urban Studies program where students can minor in an environmental studies concentration.
The Evergreen State College (Olympia, Washington)
Evergreen State College's academic programs often incorporate internships and field studies, including those related to environmental science and sustainability.
Warren Wilson College (Swannanoa, North Carolina)
This college has a strong emphasis on experiential learning, including internships in environmental science and related fields; the Warren Wilson way is highlighted by the triad of academics, work, and service.
Prescott College (Prescott, Arizona)
Prescott College offers hands-on learning experiences and encourages internships, fieldwork, and research in environmental science and related areas.
Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
Dickinson College offers internship opportunities through its Center for Sustainability Education and Environmental Studies program.
If any of these schools sound interesting to you, reach out for more information on how to curate your list of colleges. Email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call by clicking here.
