Compare 302 Environmental Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $50,866. Top programs: $82,861+.
Environmental Studies programs produce graduates earning between $20,928 and $82,861—a $62K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 304 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The data is clear: where you study environmental science shapes your career more than the name on your diploma.
Topping the list, Boston College's Environmental Studies program delivers $82,861 in median earnings—well above the $50,782 national average across all 304 programs. USC ($78,731) and UC Berkeley ($78,624) follow closely, with Berkeley's program standing out as a public institution matching private school outcomes. The pattern challenges any assumption that prestige alone predicts environmental program performance.
Strong earnings matter most when debt stays manageable. UC Berkeley Environmental Studies graduates borrow just $13,000 in student loans, facing a 3.2% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards. For families factoring in parent loans, UC Berkeley also leads with an 11.2% combined burden, rated 'Good.' That means loan payments represent a modest fraction of post-graduation income, regardless of who borrowed. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $82,861
Strong outcomes ($75,258) with 91% acceptance
3.2% payment burden | Excellent
9.0% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Boston CollegePrivate | $82,861 | 34 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | $78,731 | 65 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $78,624 | 430 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #4 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $77,753 | 46 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Manageable |
| #5 | $75,927 | 107 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #6 | $75,258 | 23 | $17,831 | Excellent | $14,731 | Good | |
| #7 | $74,393 | 32 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,678 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | $73,936 | 24 | $25,648 | Excellent | $35,451 | Manageable |
| #9 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $73,435 | 36 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Manageable |
| #10 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $72,889 | 41 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Challenging |
| #11 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | $72,398 | 22 | $21,250 | Excellent | $27,283 | Manageable |
| #12 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $71,430 | 25 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #13 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $70,760 | 37 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Challenging |
| #14 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $70,272 | 64 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #15 | $69,768 | 35 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $69,531 | 25 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Good | |
| #17 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $69,525 | 17 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | Manageable |
| #18 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $69,077 | 21 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Manageable |
| #19 | $69,061 | 80 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $68,088 | 101 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #21 | $67,805 | 58 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $67,795 | 69 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Good | |
| #23 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $67,060 | 27 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Challenging |
| #24 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $67,020 | 32 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Challenging |
| #25 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $66,963 | 19 | $27,000 | Good | $62,750 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
