Environmental Science major

Environmental Science: courses, careers, and where to study

Environmental Science combines biology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address climate, conservation, water, and pollution challenges.

An Environmental Science major draws on biology, chemistry, geology, atmospheric science, and policy. Programs typically require a strong natural-science core plus environmental-specific coursework in ecology, climate science, hydrology, environmental chemistry, GIS, and environmental policy. Many programs include a field-experience component (forest, wetland, marine, or urban field stations).

Graduates work in environmental consulting, federal and state agencies (EPA, USGS, NOAA, state DEPs), nonprofits, sustainability roles in industry, and graduate research. The major pairs well with a minor in GIS, Public Policy, or Economics.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Environmental Science maps to CIP 03.0104, Environmental Science, within the NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION family. The official definition:

A program that focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of the physical environment and the solution of environmental problems, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; the interaction between human society and the natural environment; and natural resources management. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Ecology and biodiversity
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Climate science and atmospheric science
  • Hydrology and water resources
  • Geology and earth systems
  • GIS and remote sensing
  • Environmental policy and law
  • Senior research project

Typical careers

Typical salary range: $48,000–$72,000 early-career (BLS environmental scientist median $80,060)Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Related occupations

Occupations the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk associates with Environmental Science. Linked titles open a CampusPin career page with BLS pay and outlook data; others are listed for reference.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Crosswalk: CIP 2020 to SOC 2018. A program of study does not guarantee any specific occupation.

Before you commit to a Environmental Science major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Environmental Science program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Environmental Science department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Most Environmental Science programs are covered by their institution's regional accreditation; specialized programmatic accreditation is less common in this field. Confirm any field-specific accreditation or licensure that matters for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Environmental Sciencecareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Environmental Science program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Environmental Science programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

Search Environmental Science schools

Environmental Science by state

Related majors

How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.