Best Online Environmental Science Programs

Online bachelor’s in environmental science programs lead to careers addressing issues like climate change and preventing or remediating environmental degradation. Explore our list of top programs.

Updated June 6, 2023

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A bachelor’s degree in environmental science provides advanced training and education in a broad range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. Pursuing an environmental science bachelor’s degree online adequately prepares graduates for careers as environmental scientists and specialists. Specific titles include climate change analyst, environmental health and safety specialist, and environmental restoration planner.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earned a median salary between $71,130 and $80,890 in 2018, depending on specialization. This is a significant increase from the $46,170 median salary earned by environmental science technicians — a related career obtainable with only an associate degree.

Popular Online Bachelor’s in Environmental Science Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Best Online Environmental Science Programs

Deciding which college to attend is a highly personal decision impacted by a variety of factors, including location, cost, academic quality, and school reputation. When pursuing an online education, additional concerns apply, like program format and pacing. With all of these considerations in mind, we’ve created a ranking of the best online environmental science bachelor’s degrees available. For each institution listed below, find both school- and program-specific information about curriculum offerings, admission requirements, and student services available to online learners.

Our rankings should provide a solid starting point for your college search. However, only you can properly evaluate your options and decide which online environmental science degree is the best fit for you. Take time to closely research the programs that catch your eye. Reach out to a school admissions specialist with any questions you discover along the way.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

$9,846

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,445

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

82%

Acceptance Rate

47%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,933

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,975

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

31,719

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,846

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,445

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,846

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,445

Acceptance Rate

82%

Online Enrollment

47%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,933

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,975

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

31,719

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, VA4 yearCampus + Online

$36,010

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,010

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

77%

Acceptance Rate

14%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,982

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,982

Retention Rate

59%

Students Enrolled

1,487

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,010

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,010

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, VA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,010

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,010

Acceptance Rate

77%

Online Enrollment

14%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,982

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,982

Retention Rate

59%

Students Enrolled

1,487

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online

$30,756

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,756

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,810

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,810

Retention Rate

65%

Students Enrolled

113,514

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,756

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,756

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,756

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,756

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

94%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,810

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,810

Retention Rate

65%

Students Enrolled

113,514

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE4 yearCampus + Online

$11,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

75%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,784

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,784

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

14,730

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,430

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,430

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,430

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

75%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,784

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$8,784

Retention Rate

60%

Students Enrolled

14,730

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,273

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,938

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,065

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

44,577

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,273

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,273

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,938

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,065

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

44,577

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

After reviewing the best environmental science online degree programs, read our comprehensive guide to explore admission details, common learning outcomes, and additional resources.

Environmental science graduates go on to work in a variety of industries, including government, business, and healthcare. Visit our career guide to explore your options.