Compare 10 Environmental Studies. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $41,864.
With top graduates earning $56,718, Environmental Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $15K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Environmental Studies program leads with graduates earning $56,718. The state average sits at $41,864, but the variation tells the story—Randolph-Macon College ($55,000) and University of Virginia ($47,457) demonstrate that outcomes track program strength, not just institutional brand.
Highest program earnings: $56,718
Strong outcomes with 57% acceptance rate
8.6% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
24.9% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $56,718 | 47 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Randolph-Macon CollegePrivate | $55,000 | 9 | $27,000 | Good | $46,254 | High |
| #3 | $47,457 | 76 | $17,500 | Good | $28,903 | High | |
| #4 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $47,283 | 29 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High |
| #5 | $46,047 | 72 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,585 | High | |
| #6 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $39,391 | 11 | $25,000 | Challenging | $36,395 | High |
| #7 | Bridgewater CollegePrivate | $37,208 | 13 | $26,000 | Challenging | $37,735 | High |
| #8 | Roanoke CollegePrivate | $35,600 | 14 | $27,000 | High | $40,178 | High |
| #9 | Ferrum CollegePrivate | $29,322 | 12 | $27,000 | High | $35,650 | High |
| #10 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $24,615 | 45 | $24,500 | High | $16,398 | 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 →
