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Reviewed
Reviewed
Updated: Aug 29, 2023, 10:59pm
Our environment’s health connects to the health of our food, water and bodies. The better we understand the environment and our impacts on it, the more we can improve our preservation and preparation efforts. Environmental scientists study these important issues and help us reduce harm to the planet as we continue to build and develop.
Professionals in this field often start with an on-campus or online environmental science degree, usually at the bachelor’s level. These programs provide a general sciences foundation, plus knowledge of the different ecosystems and specialized expertise in sustainability and waste management. Environmental science degrees also lay the groundwork for advanced studies should you choose to continue your education.
On this page, we examine online bachelor’s degrees in environmental science from accredited, nonprofit U.S. schools. We explore what makes these programs unique and why you might choose them.
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Tuition
$350/credit (in state and out of state)
Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement
WICHE
Application Fee
$65
$350/credit (in state and out of state)
$350/credit (in state and out of state)
WICHE
WICHE
$65
$65
Founded in 1868, Oregon State University (OSU) has nearly 200 degree programs, including more than 100 available online. In the online BS in environmental sciences, students take classes in environmental law, oceanography and watershed management. They can also specialize in one of seven areas, including earth systems, aquatic biology and environmental water resources.
OSU also offers an education minor and a certificate in geographic information science, plus an accelerated master’s pathway program. The online classes run asynchronously through a four-term year. At OSU, all online learners pay the same tuition rate no matter where they live.
Tuition
$525/credit
Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement
WICHE
Application Fee
$50
$525/credit
$525/credit
WICHE
WICHE
$50
$50
The University of Arizona (UofA) was founded in 1885, even before the founding of the state. More than 135 years later, this Hispanic-serving institution enrolls nearly 50,000 students in over 150 programs.
UofA’s BS in environmental science features courses in critical zone science, environmental physics and pollution science. The program offers two concentration options: a soil, air and water emphasis, and a leadership, sustainability and communication emphasis.
This program’s online courses run for seven and a half weeks, but online students can complete the degree at their own pace. No matter where they live, students pay the same tuition at UofA. Online learners do, however, pay a $25-per-credit technology and library fee.
Tuition
$6,455/term (in state, full time)
Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement
WICHE
Application Fee
$70
$6,455/term (in state, full time)
$6,455/term (in state, full time)
WICHE
WICHE
$70
$70
Since its founding in 1886, Arizona State University (ASU) has become one of the largest schools in the U.S., with more than 73,000 students and over 1,000 programs. ASU Online alone offers more than 300 programs, including an online BS in sustainability.
In this online environmental science degree, students take classes in sustainable cities, professional skills in sustainability practice and systems thinking. They can concentrate in economics of sustainability; sustainable ecosystems; or sustainable energy, materials, and technology.
ASU also offers a BA in sustainability with concentration options in international development and sustainability; society and sustainability; and sustainable urban dynamics.
Tuition
$409/credit
Distance Education Reciprocity Agreement
SREB
Application Fee
$35
$409/credit
$409/credit
SREB
SREB
$35
$35
Wilmington University (WilmU), a private university based in Wilmington Manor, Delaware, was founded in 1968 and now offers more than 200 program options. The school enrolls a diverse population of over 20,000 learners, including over 35% Black and Hispanic students.
WilmU’s online BS in environmental science and policy covers topics in environmental informatics, compliance, and marine science and policy. Courses run asynchronously, and environmental science students receive at-home lab kits for hands-on experiences.
As a member institution of the NASA-funded Delaware Space Grant Consortium, WilmU offers its students several meaningful industry partnerships and internships. WilmU also charges out-of-state students the same tuition rates as in-state students.
Many online environmental science degrees provide considerable flexibility, but you should still understand your scheduling needs to get the most from a program. Knowing how many hours you can dedicate each day or week to studying can help you choose the ideal program and delivery format.
If you have a job, for example, you might settle on a program offering evening or weekend classes or consider a part-time program to lighten your course load. If you hope to graduate in the shortest time possible, on the other hand, an accelerated program would get you there fastest.
Asynchronous programs offer anytime-and-anywhere study options, and they tend to suit self-motivated students best. If you prefer a more structured learning environment, consider a synchronous program that blends the flexibility of online study with the classroom engagement and interaction of on-campus programs.
Any program you consider should have institutional accreditation, which ensures access to federal financial aid and adequate postgraduate employment opportunities. Accreditation is a voluntary process by which an independent, third-party agency assesses the quality of a school’s curricula, faculty and resources. You can rest assured in the validity of a degree earned from an accredited institution.
Official accrediting agencies have recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. You can check any college’s accreditation status using CHEA’s directory.
Your postgraduate goals can help you determine which online environmental science program to pursue. If you hope to continue your education with a master’s in environmental science or a related graduate degree, for example, an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway could save you time and money. You might also prioritize programs with heavier research components to prepare for graduate studies.
Conversely, a practice-focused program offering internship opportunities and career-based experiential learning can prepare you to enter the workforce after graduation.
If you are interested in a particular research area or career track within the environmental science field, you should find a program that offers a relevant concentration. The type of degree you choose can also help you realize these goals; a BA might point you toward the humanities or social sciences, whereas a BS focuses more on the natural sciences, economics and engineering.
The cost of an online environmental science degree varies from school to school. Tuition rates for the programs on this page range from about $350 per credit to nearly $550 per credit, or approximately $10,500 to $16,500 for an academic year. For comparison, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average annual tuition rate in the U.S. is $9,375 for in-state, public college students and $32,825 for private school students.
Private schools and some online schools, including a couple on this page, simplify tuition for out-of-state students by charging the same rates across the board, regardless of state residency status. Online students also benefit from lower transportation costs and savings on materials and campus facility fees. However, they may need to pay technology or distance education fees.
We scored five accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online environmental science degrees in the U.S. using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process.
We pulled the data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. We weighted each category as follows:
Student Outcomes: 38%
Affordability: 28%
Student Experience: 14%
Credibility: 10%
Application Process: 10%
Specific characteristics we considered within each category include accreditation, nonprofit status, average net price per year, median earnings among graduates, overall graduation rate, socioeconomic diversity, online offerings and Common App participation.
We displayed all four schools that met our criteria for this ranking.
A BA and a BS in environmental science differ in several ways. BA degrees often include a foreign language component and take a more interdisciplinary approach; BS degrees focus more on applied sciences and practicality. The better degree for you depends entirely on your career and study goals.
Yes, as a natural science major, environmental science does qualify as a STEM major. WilmU’s BS in environmental science and policy, for example, qualifies as an F-1 STEM-eligible program for international students.
Environmental studies and sciences programs typically take different approaches to environmental topics. Environmental studies programs explore social issues related to the environment, including law and policy. Environmental science programs explore applied sciences and technologies.
For nearly a decade, Doug Wintemute has specialized in helping students and professionals make sound education and career decisions. In addition to Forbes Advisor, his work has been featured on many online publications, including ZDNet, Bankrate and NurseJournal.