by our College Data Analytics TeamThe earth contains many essential resources for human life. A major in Sustainability Science focuses on how to preserve Earth's natural resources while at the same time using them to improve human life. This interdisciplinary major contains classes in both the sciences and humanities. Some of the topics studied are conservation, economic growth, ethics and environmental policies.
Courses you will take will include: anthropology, sociology, economics, urban planning, landscape architecture, ecology, natural resources, calculus, soil science, environmental policy, and statistics and botany.
In 2021-2022, sustainability science was the 176th most popular major nationwide with 3,745 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Sustainability Science Schools ranking analyzes 55 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for sustainability science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sustainability science programs later in this article.
Students who have a passion for the environment and business tend to excel in this field. Interpersonal skills will help you interact with people from a wide array of backgrounds. You will need to examine both sides of an issue while learning to argue your own opinion. Innovative thinking and creativity will lead to success.
Students are often called upon to use logic and critical thinking to analyze numbers and solve difficult problems. Assignments emphasize clear communication skills as you create and share presentations, papers and reports, as well as participate in class discussions. Don't be afraid to get your hand dirty as you work in the field or in labs. Any experience in the field will help you better understand and apply the theories learned in the classroom.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific sustainability science careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of sustainability science degrees. You can get anything from a in sustainability science to the highest sustainability science degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common sustainability science degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
Sustainability Science will provide you with a degree that you can take in many different directions. Graduates can become a Sustainable Resource Manager and work to protect natural resources. They are also prepared to work in environmental policy or government programs. Sustainable agriculture is another career path you could pursue, helping farmers find more efficient methods of producing crops. Grads also find work as environmental educators, park rangers, or continue their education to become a public interest lawyer.
Want a job when you graduate with your sustainability science degree? Sustainability Science careers are expected to grow 9.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sustainability science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
Recently graduated sustainability science students earned an average of $53,330 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $18,954 to as high as $86,469. As you might expect, salaries for sustainability science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sustainability science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sustainability science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Professors | $76,990 |
With over 367 different sustainability science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sustainability science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Sustainability Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Studies | 3,745 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
Image Credit: By TonyTheTiger under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
