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2025 Best Environmental Studies Schools

142 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 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 142 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for environmental studies students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 10,196 degrees in environmental studies to qualified students.

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 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Ecosystem Studies

1
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 country for getting a degree in environmental studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 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

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
72 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Texas A&M University - College Station is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in environmental studies. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

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

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation Program Name

Develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy and sustainability with a specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
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 wonderful choice for students pursuing a degree in environmental studies. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,152 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

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA
90 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

University of California - Davis is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in environmental studies. UC Davis is a very large public university located in the small suburb of Davis. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Davis is a great university overall.

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

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

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WI
352 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 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

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WA
97 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were approximately 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

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In VA

University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

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

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

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in Anthropology - Environmental Sustainability Program Name

Help people live more efficiently and effectively in their environment with this experiential online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in Anthropology - Environmental Sustainability from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
318 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara. A Best Colleges rank of #47 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCSB is a great university overall.

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

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
96 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Bellingham, WWU is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 50 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 data year.

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

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In CA
35 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #13 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were roughly 35 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

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

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 #22 out of 2,152 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
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In CA
137 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 137 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UC Santa Cruz in the most recent data year.

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

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IA

Iowa State is a very large public university located in the city of Ames. This university ranks 2nd out of 37 schools 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

14
UVM crest
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VT
105 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Burlington, UVM is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of Vermont.

There were about 105 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at UVM in the most recent year we have data available.

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

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NC
13.6% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 93 schools 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 year we have data available.

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

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DE
13.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 3 colleges for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

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

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

17
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 town of Storrs. This university ranks 3rd out of 18 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were about 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

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MA
63 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Northeastern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 63 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Northeastern University

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NC
68 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #38 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were roughly 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

20
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
34 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 7 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were roughly 34 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from American University

21
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 city of Tucson. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

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

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

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AZ
215 Ecosystem Studies Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were approximately 215 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Arizona State University - Tempe

23
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In PA

Bucknell is a small private not-for-profit university located in the town of Lewisburg. This university ranks 11th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 16 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Bucknell University

24
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

25
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NY

Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 11th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 30 environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in environmental studies from Colgate University

Rest of the Top Best Environmental Studies Schools

26
SCU crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
27
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
29 University of Oregon Eugene, OR
30 Tufts University Medford, MA
31 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
32 University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA
33 Humboldt State University Arcata, CA
34 Colby College Waterville, ME
35 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
36 Middlebury College Middlebury, VT
37 South Dakota State University Brookings, SD
38 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
39 Baylor University Waco, TX
40 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
41 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
42 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS
43 Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL
44 San Diego State University San Diego, CA
45 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
46 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
47 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE

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 Major Annual Graduates
Environmental Science 9,482
Natural Resources/Conservation, General 2,981
Natural Resources Conservation & Research, Other 267

View All Ecosystem Studies Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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