Compare 12 Environmental Studies. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $38,180.
Environmental Studies programs produce graduates earning between $20,140 and $56,777—a $36K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 12 ranked programs in North Carolina, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Duke University's Environmental Studies program leads with graduates earning $56,777, well above the $38,180 state average. But Elon University follows closely at $55,580 with a 67% acceptance rate, while UNC Chapel Hill delivers $49,872—proving that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school rankings.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $56,777 | 44 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Challenging |
| #2 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $55,580 | 19 | $20,500 | Good | $46,609 | High |
| #3 | $49,872 | 141 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $39,680 | 129 | $20,121 | Manageable | $23,000 | High | |
| #5 | $38,508 | 124 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,737 | High | |
| #6 | $36,423 | 104 | $20,231 | Challenging | $21,919 | High | |
| #7 | $34,105 | 9 | $21,868 | High | $18,241 | High | |
| #8 | $33,993 | 15 | $25,000 | High | $10,984 | High | |
| #9 | $33,873 | 58 | $20,500 | Challenging | $20,305 | High | |
| #10 | Warren Wilson CollegePrivate | $31,820 | 21 | $25,000 | High | $21,294 | High |
| #11 | Catawba CollegePrivate | $27,389 | 23 | $25,000 | High | $30,535 | High |
| #12 | Guilford CollegePrivate | $20,140 | 7 | $26,000 | High | $37,100 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
