by our College Data Analytics TeamThe earth contains many essential resources for human life. A major in Sustainability Science focuses on how to preserve Earth's natural resources while at the same time using them to improve human life. This interdisciplinary major contains classes in both the sciences and humanities. Some of the topics studied are conservation, economic growth, ethics and environmental policies.
Courses you will take will include: anthropology, sociology, economics, urban planning, landscape architecture, ecology, natural resources, calculus, soil science, environmental policy, and statistics and botany.
A major in Sustainability Science explores Sustainability Studies. Read on to learn the essential details every sustainability science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sustainability science programs.
Across the country, sustainability science is a popular field of study, with 4,374 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sustainability Science Schools ranking analyzes these 226 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sustainability science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sustainability science programs later in this article.
Programs in Sustainability Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sustainability science graduates commonly enter.
Students who have a passion for the environment and business tend to excel in this field. Interpersonal skills will help you interact with people from a wide array of backgrounds. You will need to examine both sides of an issue while learning to argue your own opinion. Innovative thinking and creativity will lead to success.
Students are often called upon to use logic and critical thinking to analyze numbers and solve difficult problems. Assignments emphasize clear communication skills as you create and share presentations, papers and reports, as well as participate in class discussions. Don't be afraid to get your hand dirty as you work in the field or in labs. Any experience in the field will help you better understand and apply the theories learned in the classroom.
The skill set built by a sustainability science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a sustainability science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sustainability science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 71 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,637 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,573 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 42 |
People currently working in careers related to sustainability science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 45.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in sustainability science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Sustainability Science will provide you with a degree that you can take in many different directions. Graduates can become a Sustainable Resource Manager and work to protect natural resources. They are also prepared to work in environmental policy or government programs. Sustainable agriculture is another career path you could pursue, helping farmers find more efficient methods of producing crops. Grads also find work as environmental educators, park rangers, or continue their education to become a public interest lawyer.
Studying sustainability science prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to sustainability science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sustainability science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 287,657 | 10.6% |
| Conservation Scientists | 208,826 | 13.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Range Managers | 175,572 | 1.3% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 159,640 | 3.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of sustainability science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,012 |
| 4 years | $62,144 |
| 5 years | $72,763 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for sustainability science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sustainability science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $83,485 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Conservation Scientists | $81,436 |
| Park Naturalists | $76,516 |
With 226 different sustainability science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sustainability science school rankings to help you.
Those considering sustainability science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
| Natural Sciences | 2,648 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
