Environmental Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Interdisciplinary study of the environment and solutions to environmental problems.
Starting Salary
$45K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5%
rate
Environmental Science Overview
Interdisciplinary study of the environment and solutions to environmental problems.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
30%
Lifetime Premium
$350K
Female Graduates
55%
Environmental Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,550
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,550
after scholarships
ROI Payback
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$332,450
Lifetime earnings premium ($350,000) minus net degree cost ($17,550)
Environmental Science Salary Progression
Common Environmental Science Careers
Environmental Scientist
Conservation Specialist
Sustainability Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Environmental Science
#1
Stanford
#2
UC Berkeley
#3
Yale
#4
Cornell
#5
University of Michigan
Related Majors
Environmental Science Degree FAQ
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