by our College Data Analytics TeamImagine relaxing underneath the shade of a tree in a park, filled with the sounds of running water, birds singing and children playing on a jungle gym. Now imagine that it was you that designed the environment. Can you think of a better career? As an environmental design major, you will be prepared to design spaces where people live, work and play. This program teaches students how to use space and construct structures in an ecological sustainable, environmentally safe, and aesthetically pleasing manner.
Every college has its own requirements, but you would most likely be required to take classes such as architectural principles, design, landscape architecture, mathematics, CAD, interior design, management, physics, drawing, computer and urban planning. The classes will cover four main points: interior design, architecture, landscape, and urban planning.
Studying Environmental Design covers Environmental Design. Read on to learn the essential details every environmental design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering environmental design programs.
In the U.S., environmental design is a popular field of study, with 714 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Environmental Design Schools ranking analyzes these 42 schools to determine the best overall colleges for environmental design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of environmental design programs later in this article.
Programs in Environmental Design build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations environmental design graduates commonly enter.
This major entails a broad range of skills because it includes interior design, architecture, landscape, and urban planning. A student must be interested in how to use color, light, and texture. It is important to not be afraid to push the boundaries and think creatively and expressively; you will be required to understand the use of space while still be environmentally aware. It is essential to be able to work well with others in order to solve problems as a team. Depending on your role, communication skills and presentation skills will be necessary. You must be able to understand design and design elements. This means being able to see the big picture, while still focusing on the minute details.
Students will analyze and problem-solve ideas of change in the community while also recognizing social fairness and sustainable environments. They will use knowledge of both social and behavioral science when planning and designing their projects.
The skill set developed in a environmental design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a environmental design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several environmental design degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 550 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 121 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 39 |
People currently working in careers related to environmental design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.4% |
| Master’s degree | 17.3% |
| First professional degree | 13.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Some college courses | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in environmental design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
With a degree in environmental design, students have many different options for careers because they will leave school with a broad set of skills. They can choose their own path based on their interests and focus more thoroughly on one of the four aspects of the major: interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning.
In order to focus more specifically on one of these aspects, the student will need to continue education with a more clear concentration.
When graduating with a degree in environmental design the salary rate will vary greatly based on what particular field the student decides to follow.
Studying environmental design prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to environmental design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to environmental design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | 489,715 | 11.8% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | 362,012 | 1.0% |
| Landscape Architects | 210,994 | 13.6% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Interior Designers | 186,151 | -1.3% |
| Urban and Regional Planners | 52,637 | 8.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of environmental design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,905 |
| 4 years | $52,970 |
| 5 years | $59,648 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for environmental design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers environmental design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $116,710 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Landscape Architects | $88,491 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $66,890 |
| Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | $66,757 |
| Interior Designers | $55,861 |
With 42 different environmental design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased environmental design school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in environmental design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Environmental Design/Architecture | 658 |
| Sustainable Design/Architecture | 47 |
| Healthcare Environment Design/Architecture | 9 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 9,814 |
| Architecture | 4,594 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 2,362 |
| Landscape Architecture | 1,050 |
| Interior Architecture | 756 |
| Real Estate Development | 555 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 166 |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 151 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
