by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Energy and Environmental Policy covers A Program Of Study That Focuses On The Systematic Analysis Of Public Policy Issues Related To Climate Change, Energy Policy, Environmental Economics, Global Sustainability, And Security. Includes Instruction In Climate Change, Clean Energy Technologies, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, Environmental Economics, Food Security, Fossil Fuels, Renewable And Sustainable Energy Sources, And Water Issues. Read on to learn the essential details every energy and environmental policy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering energy and environmental policy programs.
Across the country, energy and environmental policy is a popular field of study, with 83 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Energy and Environmental Policy Schools ranking analyzes these 10 schools to determine the best overall colleges for energy and environmental policy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of energy and environmental policy programs later in this article.
Studies in Energy and Environmental Policy build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations energy and environmental policy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a energy and environmental policy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a energy and environmental policy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several energy and environmental policy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 69 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to energy and environmental policy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 56.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Master’s degree | 6.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in energy and environmental policy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying energy and environmental policy can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to energy and environmental policy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to energy and environmental policy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | 735,120 | 1.8% |
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | 674,467 | 10.0% |
| Coroners | 499,816 | -4.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | 373,276 | 14.4% |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigators | 370,977 | 3.7% |
| Customs Brokers | 249,561 | 5.2% |
| Compliance Officers | 184,804 | 8.6% |
| Transportation Planners | 43,539 | 4.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of energy and environmental policy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,496 |
| 4 years | $52,434 |
| 5 years | $59,221 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for energy and environmental policy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers energy and environmental policy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance Inspectors | $119,630 |
| Coroners | $110,095 |
| Regulatory Affairs Specialists | $85,399 |
| Compliance Officers | $71,138 |
| Customs Brokers | $67,529 |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers | $52,280 |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigators | $50,883 |
| Transportation Planners | $50,855 |
With 10 different energy and environmental policy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased energy and environmental policy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in energy and environmental policy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
