Environmental Biology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental Biology is a rigorous, science-driven field dedicated to understanding the complex interplay between living organisms and their ever-changing environments. This program equips students with the analytical and research skills needed to investigate ecological systems at multiple scales, from individual species to entire ecosystems, while addressing pressing challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change.
- Biodiversity: Explores the variety of life across ecosystems, including the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, and examines the factors that influence species richness and distribution.
- Molecular Genetic and Genomic Evolution: Investigates how genetic variation and evolutionary processes shape species over time, using advanced molecular techniques to trace lineage and adaptation.
- Mesoscale Ecology: Focuses on ecological dynamics at intermediate spatial and temporal scales, bridging gaps between local field observations and large-scale environmental models.
- Computational Biology and Modeling: Applies data science, algorithms, and simulation tools to analyze ecological patterns, predict environmental outcomes, and support evidence-based decision-making.
- Conservation Biology: Addresses strategies to protect endangered species, restore degraded habitats, and maintain ecosystem integrity in the face of human impacts.
- Local and Global Environmental Change: Studies the drivers and consequences of environmental shifts, including climate variability, land-use change, and pollution, at both regional and planetary levels.
- Restoration Ecology: Emphasizes the science and practice of rehabilitating damaged ecosystems through ecological principles and long-term monitoring.
Environmental Biology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental Biology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental Biology degrees, including Biological Scientists, All Other, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 155,470 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1042 | $83,460 | $50,760 - $169,560 | 53,250 | N/A |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023 | $72,860 | $48,240 - $113,350 | 16,920 | $35.03 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
Environmental Biology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $63,260 in Florida to $100,480 in California—a 59% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Rhode Island, and Alaska. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 155,470 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Environmental Biology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 53 institutions offering Environmental Biology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Environmental Biology is found at Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (94 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (48 graduates), SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) (40 graduates), Monmouth University (20 graduates), and California State Polytechnic University (CPP), Pomona (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 449 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
94 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Syracuse, New York | Public | esf.edu |
| Monmouth University |
Bachelor's
|
20 | West Long Branch, New Jersey | Private | monmouth.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Troy University (TROY) |
Master's
|
10 | Troy, Alabama | Public | troy.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Plymouth State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Plymouth, New Hampshire | Public | plymouth.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Providence College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | providence.edu |
| Regis University |
Master's
|
7 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
7 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| Hood College |
Master's
|
6 | Frederick, Maryland | Private | hood.edu |
| Blackburn College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Carlinville, Illinois | Private | blackburn.edu |
| Principia College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Elsah, Illinois | Private | principiacollege.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Morgan State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | morgan.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Master's
|
5 | Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Miami University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Fort Lewis College (FLC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Durango, Colorado | Public | fortlewis.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Elizabethtown College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Private | etown.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
| Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Paul Smiths, New York | Private | paulsmiths.edu |
| Wingate University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Wingate, North Carolina | Private | wingate.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Mary Baldwin University (MBU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Staunton, Virginia | Private | marybaldwin.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
3 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Southern Nazarene University (SNU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bethany, Oklahoma | Private | snu.edu |
| Keystone College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | La Plume, Pennsylvania | Private | keystone.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | McKenzie, Tennessee | Private | bethelu.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Eastern Arizona College (EAC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Thatcher, Arizona | Public | eac.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
1 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Governors State University (GSU) |
Master's
|
1 | University Park, Illinois | Public | govst.edu |
| DePauw University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Greencastle, Indiana | Private | depauw.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| Northwestern College (NWC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Orange City, Iowa | Private | nwciowa.edu |
| Drury University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | drury.edu |
| University of Mount Olive (UMO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Mount Olive, North Carolina | Private | umo.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
1 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | aguadilla.inter.edu |
| Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | California, Pennsylvania | Public | pennwest.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental Biology programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental Biology degree?
Salaries for Environmental Biology graduates vary by role and location. Biological Scientists, All Other earn a median of $93,330 annually, while Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $83,460. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $100,480 compared to $63,260 in Florida. Approximately 155,470 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Environmental Biology programs?
Currently 53 accredited institutions offer Environmental Biology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins (94 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (48 graduates), and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) (40 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Environmental Biology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 252 in 2010 to 449 in 2023-24. This represents a 78% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Environmental Biology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Biological Scientists, All Other, Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary, and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists. Related occupations employ approximately 155,470 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Biological Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Biological Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Evolutionary Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the genetic, developmental, functional, and morphological patterns and processes, and theoretical principles; and the...
Aquatic Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting inland fresh waters such...
Population Biology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the natural history, life cycle behavior, and ecosystem dynamics of single species and multi-species...
Conservation Biology
A program that focuses on the application of the biological sciences to the specific problems of biodiversity, species preservation, ecological sustainability, and habitat...
Systematic Biology
A program that focuses on the theoretical and empirical study of the principles and processes underlying the origin and maintenance of biological taxonomic...
Epidemiology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of disease, disability, and trauma patterns within and across populations and the development of health...