When considering a college for environmental science, students should look beyond simply finding a campus with a sustainability commitment. Whether you’re looking for an interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies, hands-on field research, or specific maritime and marine emergency response programs, the university you select will be an important part of your journey in the rapidly-evolving green initiative.
In this guide, we have researched the 16 best colleges for environmental science. Our selections cover programs focusing on technical rigor, independent research, and even hands-on maritime protection training. If you’re ready to turn your passion for the environment into a fulfilling career path.
16 Best Colleges for Environmental Science
Here are the 16 best colleges for environmental science to keep on your radar, in no specific order.
University of California, Berkeley
At UC Berkeley, students choose one of three specialized tracks, including Biological Science, Social Science, and Physical Science, which determines the rigor of their lover-division math and science courses. This program offers an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to craft their research according to their own interests and utilizing research and methodology from other fields such as ecology, toxicology, meteorology, and policy analysis. Students complete their studies with a year-long research project where they examine an environmental problem of their choosing. UC Berkeley is consistently ranked at the top of lists for the best colleges for environmental science globally.
Stanford University
Students at Stanford’s Earth Systems program explore the dynamic of human-created impacts on complex environmental problems and how they interact with natural changes to the ecosystem. The program requires a senior internship, where students will work on a lab, government, or private sector project, and offers multiple opportunities for independent research. Stanford’s program is also home to the Sustainability Accelerator, an initiative that aims to fast-track research in sustainability to global solutions.
Harvard University
Harvard offers tracks in Environmental Science and Public Policy and Environmental Science and Engineering, allowing students to focus on the economic and political aspects of environmental students, as well as the science behind environmental concerns. The Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre research site, allows students to conduct immersive research during an 11-week undergraduate summer program.
Yale University
As one of the best colleges for environmental science in the nation, the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) offers both B.A. and B.S. degrees. Students can explore careers in policy, management, climate science, environmental justice, and even environmental humanitites–where students explore nature through art and literature.
Columbia University
Columbia offers students the chance to explore environmental science from distinct viewpoints, offering majors in Climate and Sustainability, Environmental Science, and Sustainable Development. The Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory allows undergraduate students research opportunities to work directly with faculty on climate, policy, and sustainability issues.
University of Florida
The School of Natural Resources and Environment at UF draws from disciplines across the university, creating a campus-wide environmental and sustainability unit. Students have flexibility in choosing courses to compliment their unique interests, and Florida’s complex ecosystem is utilized frequently throughout the program. For distance learners, UF’s Environmental Management program is consistently ranked as the best program for environmental science online.
University of California, LA (UCLA)
UCLA’s environmental science program focuses on “Environmental Professionalism,” and students focus on gaining real-world consultancy experience, culminating in a year-long practicum professional consulting project. The program offers connections to external partners and businesses, offering students the opportunity to make a real-word impact during their studies.
Bucknell University
The Department of Environmental Studies & Sciences at Bucknell offers both a B.A. in Environmental Studies as well as a coordinate major in Environmental Science, meant to complement another degree. Due to its location, students are able to utilize the Susquehanna river for environmental and sustainability research.
Brown University
At Brown, students have significant freedom in their course of study, as the school focuses on student autonomy and engaged research. Students design their own academic path, majoring in either Environmental Studies (BA) or Environmental Science (BS), and must complete a capstone project that has real-world impact.
University of California, Davis
UC Davis offers an Environmental Science and Management (ESM) major through its nationally #1 ranked Agriculture and Forestry school. ESM majors must choose from six specialized tracks beginning with their junior year: Climate Change & Air Quality; Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation; Environmental Data Science; Natural Resource Management; Soils & Biogeochemistry; and Watershed Science. Students also participate in hands-on activities and have opportunities to conduct research directly at Lake Tahoe.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Environmental Studies majors at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are a part of the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, named after the founder of Earth Day. UW-Madison is the only school in the country that requires students to declare a second major–Environmental Studies cannot be chosen as a stand-alone major. Students can, however, major in Environmental Sciences as a stand-alone degree, focusing on sciences like chemistry, biology, and physics.
University of Southern California (USC)
USC offers two distinct majors for students looking to pursue environmental studies, Environmental Studies and Environmental Science and Health. Both tracks offer a B.A. and B.S. option, with the Environmental Science and Health B.S. track also fulfilling pre-med requirements. Students can conduct research at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, and even earn their scientific diving certification!
Northeastern University
Professional development is a main component of the Environmental Studies program at Northeastern. Throughout the program, students will spend one-to-three six-month periods working full-time in the environmental sector, collaborating with and researching alongside clients and experts in the field. Students choose from five concentrations, and are often encouraged to combine majors with another field. The Three Seas Program also offers numerous opportunities for students to conduct research in Nahant (MA), Panama (Caribbean) and Washington (Pacific Northwest).
UT Austin
The Environmental Science program at UT Austin is unique in that it’s jointly operated by three colleges: College of Natural Science (biology track), Jackson School of Geosciences (geosciences track), and the College of Liberal Arts (geographical sciences track). What makes UT Austin one of the best colleges for environmental science is its unique approach to research, allowing students research experiences within the first two years of the program. Students must also complete a year-long capstone project during their senior year.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
The Marine Science, Safety, and Environmental Protection (MSSEP) program at Massachusetts Maritime Academy is different from other environmental studies degrees in that it gears students towards being on-the-ground responders and managers in the marine industry. All students earn their 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response certification by graduation, and students also receive intense training on industrial safety and emergency response to disasters such as oil spills.
University of Washington
Recently ranked as the #1 institution in the world for Environmental Science research output, the University of Washington is one of the best colleges for environmental science. UW prioritizes “learning by doing,” and offers a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management. Uniquely, UW owns the Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island, and students can spend a full quarter living, working, and conducting research at the labs.
Conclusion
Finding the right program is the first step towards a career in environmental sciences that blends scientific expertise with meaningful and lasting impact. Whether you’re drawn to technical leadership or professional development, these 16 schools are the best colleges for environmental science.
Ready to take the next step? Start building your college list, explore the environmental science major that best fits your goals, and get personalized guidance along the way. Book a consult with us today to turn your interests into a clear college plan.
