Environmental Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Environmental Education programs equip future educators with the expertise to inspire and guide students in understanding the intricate relationships between humans and the natural world. This interdisciplinary field emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and sustainable practices, preparing professionals to foster environmental stewardship across K-12 settings.
- Foundations of Environmental Education: Explores the historical, philosophical, and theoretical underpinnings of environmental learning, including key models like place-based education, sustainability frameworks, and systems thinking.
- Instructional Methods in Environmental Education: Focuses on pedagogical strategies tailored to outdoor and classroom environments, including inquiry-based learning, project-based curricula, and interdisciplinary lesson design.
- Ecological and Environmental Science Content: Provides a robust understanding of core scientific principles such as ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, resource management, and human impacts on natural systems.
- Curriculum Development and Assessment: Teaches how to design, implement, and evaluate standards-aligned environmental education programs that meet state and national learning benchmarks.
- Community Engagement and Advocacy: Encourages the development of skills in connecting schools with local communities, promoting environmental justice, and facilitating student-led action projects.
Environmental Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Environmental Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Environmental Education degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. 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 3,145,310 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021 | $62,340 | $46,440 - $102,010 | 1,393,310 | N/A |
Environmental Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,793 in Oklahoma to $94,820 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,145,310 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 Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Environmental Education 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 Education is found at Hamline University (39 graduates), University of Idaho (U of I) (11 graduates), Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (7 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) (7 graduates), and University of Minnesota (UMD), Duluth (6 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 86 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamline University |
Postbac Cert.
|
39 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Master's
|
11 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
7 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
7 | Stevens Point, Wisconsin | Public | uwsp.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Master's
|
6 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Master's
|
6 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Bard College |
Master's
|
5 | Annandale-On-Hudson, New York | Private | bard.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Other Award
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Master's
|
1 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Elmira College (EC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elmira, New York | Private | elmira.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Environmental Education programs
How much can I earn with a Environmental Education degree?
Salaries for Environmental Education graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earn around $64,580. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $94,820 compared to $51,793 in Oklahoma. Approximately 3,145,310 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 Education programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Environmental Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Hamline University (39 graduates), University of Idaho (U of I) (11 graduates), and Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) (7 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 Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 9 in 2010 to 86 in 2023-24. This represents a 856% 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 Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 3,145,310 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.
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