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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $331
Out of State | $331

Credits to Graduate
180

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

OSU's online bachelor's in environmental science program runs asynchronously. Students complete hands-on fieldwork, a thesis, or a research and scholarship course. The program offers many specializations, including alternative energy, applied ecology, and earth systems. Other options include environmental agriculture and environmental water resources.

Applicants need a 3.0 GPA and prerequisites in English, foreign language, science, and social studies.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $331
Out of State | $331

Credits to Graduate
180

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Applicants need a 3.0 GPA and prerequisites in English, foreign language, science, and social studies.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $399
Out of State | $399

Credits to Graduate
128

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

VWU offers an online bachelor's in environmental studies that emphasizes science, economics, and humans' position in the natural world. Students can complete the program in 12 months. Graduates may work in fields like corporate sustainability, environmental science, and natural resources conservation.

Applicants need a 2.0 GPA or a high school transcript or GED results. Prospective students submit SAT or ACT scores and any college transcripts.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $399
Out of State | $399

Credits to Graduate
128

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Applicants need a 2.0 GPA or a high school transcript or GED results. Prospective students submit SAT or ACT scores and any college transcripts.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $320
Out of State | $320

Credits to Graduate
121

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | Yes
Accreditation | New England Commission of Higher Education

SNHU's bachelor's in environmental science program offers specializations in data analytics in science and natural resources and conservation. Asynchronous coursework focuses on real-life scenarios and problems. The school mails home-lab kits to enrollees. Degree-seekers can participate in hands-on field experiences, complete research projects, or gain skills in grant writing in science.

Applicants submit an online application, transcript release form, and an electronic attestation that they have completed high school or received a GED.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $320
Out of State | $320

Credits to Graduate
121

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | Yes
Accreditation | New England Commission of Higher Education

Applicants submit an online application, transcript release form, and an electronic attestation that they have completed high school or received a GED.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $390
Out of State | $390

Credits to Graduate
120

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | Yes
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education

WilmU offers a bachelor's in environmental science and policy online that features hands-on learning with program-provided home-lab kits. The curriculum focuses on hypothesis testing, scholarly writing, and problem-solving using scientific and digital tools.

Course areas include an environmental science core, a public policy core, and core electives. The program also offers field experiences.

Admission requires official transcripts. Applicants with fewer than 15 transfer credits need a high school or GED diploma. They must also submit SAT or ACT or math and English placement scores.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $390
Out of State | $390

Credits to Graduate
120

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | Yes
Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Course areas include an environmental science core, a public policy core, and core electives. The program also offers field experiences.

Admission requires official transcripts. Applicants with fewer than 15 transfer credits need a high school or GED diploma. They must also submit SAT or ACT or math and English placement scores.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $525
Out of State | $525

Credits to Graduate
120

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission

UofA's online bachelor's in environmental science program prepares graduates to address problems like climate change and pollution. Students can choose between two emphasis areas: leadership, sustainability, and communication; or soil, air, and water.

Enrollees take classes like environmental justice, environmental microbiology, and geographic information sciences. Graduates may work in fields like agriculture and urbanization, sustainable resource management, and environmental restoration.

Applicants complete an online application and submit transcripts.

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

100% Online | Self-Paced Classes

Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $525
Out of State | $525

Credits to Graduate
120

Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission

Applicants complete an online application and submit transcripts.

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.