If you’re passionate about the environment and you want to translate your passion into a rewarding career, then a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences may be the right fit for you.
A Bachelor’s Degree program in Environmental Sciences will typically include classes in geology, ecology, biology, chemistry, environmental policy, regulation and law, and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028.
As more people acknowledge the importance of a green economy that protects our environment, holding a degree in the field can help you find employment in companies and government institutes who are seeking solutions to environmental challenges and issues.
If you’re a busy adult with a full-time job, you should know that there are many schools that offer online undergraduate programs for those who want to study natural sciences.
To help you find the online program that best meets your educational needs and professional aspirations, we have selected the 15 best online schools that offer an online Bachelors in Environmental Sciences.
We invite you to read our selection and find out more about the institutions that offer programs in this fascinating field of study.
Oregon State University
Located in one of the safest and greenest small cities in the U.S., Oregon State University provides 200 undergraduate and 100 graduate programs under 11 colleges.
Its educational offer includes an online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences that is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The program is designed for students who a looking to earn a Geographic Information Science Certificate and for those who want to specialize in Applied Technology, Conservation, Aquatic Biology, Resources and Sustainability, Earth Systems, Environmental Agriculture, Environmental Policy and Economics, and Environmental Water Resources.
The program can be completed fully online and students need 180 credit hours for graduation.
Official WebsiteWilmington University
Wilmington University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy program through its College of Online and Experiential Learning.
Wilmington University is a member of the Delaware Space Grant Consortium, a NASA program designed to train students in the fields of science, engineering, technology, mathematics, and geography.
Online & Distance Learning tuition is $381 per credit hour.
Wilmington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Official WebsiteFlorida International University
Another program that enrolls future environmental specialists is the Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability and the Environment offered by Florida International University.
The 120-credit hour program includes in its Upper Division Program a variety of courses, such as Energy Flow in Natural and Man-made Systems, Ecology of South Florida, Applied Field Ecology, Environmental Resources and Pollution, and more.
The program offers three starting dates in fall, spring, and summer.
Prospective students can apply online and are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores, official high school transcripts, and pay a $30 application fee.
Tuition for in-state students is $228.81 per credit hour plus fees; out-of-state students pay $345.87 per credit hour plus fees.
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Official WebsitePrescott College
Another great place where you can get ready for a career in Environmental Sciences is Prescott College.
The online Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies offered by Prescott College requires students to complete 120-semester credits.
Students enrolled in this program learn about Sustainability, the Environment, Community Engagement for Beneficial Change, and more.
Tuition for online programs for the 2020-2021 academic year is $598 per credit hour.
Prescott College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteStevenson University
Serving nearly 4,000 students, Stevenson University provides more than 60 academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
The program focuses on the impact humans, businesses, and communities have on the environment.
The curriculum includes classes in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geographic Information Systems, and more.
The program also includes a senior capstone project.
Students enrolled in this program are required to complete the Stevenson Educational Experience where they get to explore the natural environment outside the classroom at the Chesapeake Bay.
Through small class sizes, the school offers each student personal attention and instruction.
Official WebsiteAmerican Public University
American Public University offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs online, including a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Classes are taught by top educators who hold positions in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, the Nature Conservancy, and other government organizations.
Students are asked to choose from five concentrations, namely Environmental Technology and Management, Fish and Wildlife Management, General, Regional and Community Environmental Planning, and Sustainability.
Tuition is $285 per hour and $250 with military grants.
American Public University is part of the American Public University System and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteThe University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The fully online Bachelor of Science in Earth Society and Environmental Sustainability offered by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign includes advanced classes in Environment and Human Response, Earth’s Physical Systems and Earth’s Ecology, and more.
Students enrolled in this program can choose between two concentrations, namely Science in the Earth System and Society and Environment.
They may then specialize in different fields, such as Environmental Informatics, Sustainable Business, and Sustainable Societies.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is classified as an R1 Doctoral Research under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, proving that the school is an excellent research center.
Official WebsiteBellevue University
Bellevue University offers a variety of accelerated, on-campus, and online programs at its four campuses.
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainability Management is provided through the university’s College of Science and Technology.
The program focuses on the latest developments in environmental science, green technology, and natural resource management.
Students enrolled in this program are also prepared to take the LEED Green Associate exam for green construction and operations.
Tuition for online programs at Bellevue University is $425 per credit hour.
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteColumbia Southern University
Based in Orange Beach, Alabama, Columbia Southern University is a unit of Columbia Southern Education Group.
Its educational offer includes an online Bachelor’s Degree program in Environmental Studies Management.
The 120-credit hour program includes major requirements such as Environmental Law, Environmental Assessment, Pollution Prevention, Air Quality, Environmental Issues, Toxicology, Introduction to Workplace Safety, and more.
Tuition is $230 per credit hour.
Columbia Southern University is an accredited member of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Official WebsiteSouthern New Hampshire University
The online Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology offered by the Southern New Hampshire University includes an Environmental Sustainability concentration.
The 132-credit hour program combines anthropological theories with environmental and historical-cultural topics.
Students enrolled in this program take classes in ecology, global climate, water and ocean pollution, and ecological problems.
Tuition for online programs is $320 per credit hour.
U.S. service members and the spouses of those on active duty pay a reduced tuition of $225.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Official WebsiteArizona State University
One of the largest public universities in the nation, Arizona State University(ASU) enrolls nearly 80,000 students.
ASU offers an online Bachelor of Science in Sustainability for aspiring Environmental specialists who want to study the social and technical aspects of sustainability.
The program includes classes in renewable energy, environmental sciences, business and policy, and more.
Students need 120 credit hours for graduation.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Official WebsiteFort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University (FHSU) serves more than 15,000 students through its online and on-campus programs.
Its educational offer includes a Bachelor’s Degree Program with a specialization in Sustainability offered through its College of General Studies.
The coursework includes courses in politics, social entrepreneurship, renewable energy, art, and conservation topics.
Students need 120 credit hours to earn this degree.
Fort Hays State University is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
Official WebsiteUnity College
Founded as a liberal arts and sciences school in 1965, Unity College claims to be the first in the nation to integrate sustainability science in its curriculum framework.
The College offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies degree program.
The program includes core courses such as Environmental Psychology, Conservation Biology, Sustainable Solution to Globalization, Natural Resource Law and Policy, and more.
Unity College is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Florida
A public university that is home to more than 52,000 students, the University of Florida offers more than 200 programs and certificates that are accessible fully online.
Its online Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources includes classes in Natural Resource Policy and Economics, Environmental and Engineering Geology, and Agricultural Ecology.
Students who attend this 120 credit hour program gain knowledge in agronomic production and environmental protection.
The program covers classes in topics such as Biological Sciences, General Chemistry, Agricultural and Environmental Quality, Applied Physics, and more.
Official WebsiteUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
The fully-online Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Sustainability offered by the University of Massachusetts Amherst covers a variety of topics, including earth science, green building, policy and planning, green economics, and more.
Students enrolled in UMass’s online format have the freedom of creating their programs of study in Sustainability through UMass Amherst University Without Walls.
Tuition is $390 per credit.
The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Q. How much does it cost to attend an online Bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Sciences?
Tuition rates vary based on the school you choose and the program itself.
Students who attend an online Bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Sciences should expect to pay anywhere between $25,000 to $68,000.
They also pay additional fees, including a Technology Fee, Orientation Fee, Sustainability Fee, Books, and Miscellaneous Fees.
Some schools offer lower tuition fees for in-state students and some also offer military benefits.
Q. How long does it take to obtain a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences?
Bachelor’s Degree programs in Environmental Sciences can typically be completed in up to four years by full-time students.
Most schools require students to complete at least 120 credit hours for graduation.
Q. What career opportunities will I have with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences?
After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences you will be qualified for an entry-level position in the field.
Newly graduates can find employment in government agencies or private companies that have job openings in Environmental Sciences.
Overall employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow in the future as more private companies hire Environmental Analysts, Environmental Scientists, Sustainability Specialists, Conservation Specialists, or Zoologists that run lab tests, write reports and assess the relationship between human activities and other organisms.
Final Thoughts
A Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences can give you access to a variety of career opportunities.
If you want to become a Conservation Specialist, an Environmental Scientist, or a specialist in Sustainability, pursuing a degree in the field can be the first step towards your dream career.
Many schools offer online undergraduate programs in Environmental Sciences and there are plenty of options for busy adults who want to earn a degree at their own pace, from the comfort of their homes.
Now that you have read our list of Top 15 Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences, it’s your turn to continue your research and choose the program that best suits your professional aspirations.