College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Environmental Studies Schools

169 Colleges in the United States
10,196 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded
Ranked #87 in popularity, environmental studies is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 169 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for environmental studies students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 10,196 degrees in environmental studies during the 2021-2022 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Environmental Studies School

Best Environmental Studies Schools Your choice of environmental studies school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Environmental Studies School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Environmental Studies Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Ecosystem Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Ecosystem Studies
Master's Degrees in Ecosystem Studies
Doctor's Degrees in Ecosystem Studies

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Environmental Studies Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Environmental Studies in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the ecosystem studies degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Ecosystem Studies

1
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CT
204 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Yale University is a good option for students interested in a degree in environmental studies. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of New Haven. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were roughly 204 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Yale University

2
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
102 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in environmental studies has to look into Harvard University. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were approximately 102 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Harvard University

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CA
312 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

University of California - Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in environmental studies. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 312 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of California - Berkeley

4
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NC
61 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Duke University is a good choice for students interested in a degree in environmental studies. Duke is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 61 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Duke University

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
72 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the city of College Station. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 72 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Texas A&M University - College Station

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NY
65 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 65 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Columbia University in the City of New York

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WI
352 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 352 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Wisconsin - Madison

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA
90 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UC Davis is a very large public university located in the suburb of Davis. This university ranks 13th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 90 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of California - Davis

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NC
68 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 93 schools for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were about 68 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

10
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In RI
17.4% Growth in Graduates

Brown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Providence. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Brown is a great university overall.

There were approximately 23 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Brown University

11
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
124 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 124 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

12
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
41 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were roughly 41 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Emory University

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WA
97 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were about 97 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
318 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UCSB is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 10th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 318 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of California - Santa Barbara

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
91.7% Growth in Graduates

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Athens. This university ranks 3rd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Georgia

16
Colby crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In ME
42.1% Growth in Graduates

Colby is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Waterville. This college ranks 2nd out of 19 colleges for overall quality in the state of Maine.

There were approximately 19 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Colby in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Colby College

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NC
13.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were approximately 22 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at NC State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from North Carolina State University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In CA
50 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 15th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 50 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of California - Irvine

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IA

Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames. This university ranks 1st out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 22 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Iowa State University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In VA

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 27 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Virginia - Main Campus

21
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In CA
7.1% Growth in Graduates

SCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Santa Clara. This university ranks 12th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 28 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at SCU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Santa Clara University

22
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CT
35 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UCONN is a very large public university located in the suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were approximately 35 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Connecticut

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NH
32 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the remote town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.

There were roughly 32 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Dartmouth College

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
96 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Bellingham, WWU is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were about 96 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at WWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Western Washington University

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In AZ
32 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

University of Arizona is a very large public university located in the large city of Tucson. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were roughly 32 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from University of Arizona

Rest of the Top Best Environmental Studies Schools

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Environmental Studies students that almost earned our Best Environmental Studies Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
26Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
27University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
28George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
29University of DelawareNewark, DE
30Arizona State University - TempeTempe, AZ
31San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
32Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
33University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK

Environmental Studies by Region

View the Best Environmental Studies Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Environmental Studies is one of 3 different types of Natural Resources Conservation programs to choose from.

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Environmental Science9,482
Natural Resources/Conservation, General2,981
Natural Resources Conservation & Research, Other267

View All Ecosystem Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options