Geography and Environmental Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Geography and Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex relationships between human societies and the Earth’s natural and constructed environments. This program equips students with analytical and technical skills to address pressing global challenges related to environmental change, resource management, and sustainable development.
- Climate Science: Examines the physical processes driving weather patterns and long-term climate change, including atmospheric dynamics and climate modeling.
- Sustainability: Focuses on strategies and practices that balance ecological integrity, economic viability, and social equity across time and space.
- Environmental Science and Policy: Integrates scientific principles with governance frameworks to evaluate and shape responses to environmental issues.
- Research Methods: Develops rigorous approaches to data collection, analysis, and interpretation across qualitative and quantitative paradigms.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Applies digital mapping technologies to visualize, analyze, and interpret spatial data for decision-making.
- Human Geography: Investigates how people shape and are shaped by places, cultures, economies, and political systems across the globe.
- Physical Geography: Studies natural landforms, ecosystems, and environmental processes such as erosion, hydrology, and biogeography.
- Remote Sensing: Utilizes satellite and aerial imagery to monitor environmental changes and support geographic analysis.
- Public Policy: Explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of regulations and initiatives aimed at environmental protection and urban planning.
Geography and Environmental Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Geography and Environmental Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Geography and Environmental Studies degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other and Geographers. 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 299,550 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Geographers 19-3092 | $97,200 | $62,390 - $133,680 | 1,380 | $46.73 |
| Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1053 | $87,710 | $50,670 - $164,290 | 7,130 | N/A |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1064 | $86,730 | $49,990 - $164,350 | 3,290 | N/A |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 19-2041 | $80,060 | $50,130 - $134,830 | 84,930 | $38.49 |
| Conservation Scientists 19-1031 | $67,950 | $45,260 - $107,720 | 25,590 | $32.67 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health 19-4042 | $49,490 | $36,130 - $85,630 | 39,390 | $23.79 |
Geography and Environmental Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,817 in Delaware to $113,476 in California—a 111% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 299,550 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 Geography and Environmental Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 55 institutions offering Geography and Environmental Studies 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 Geography and Environmental Studies is found at Dartmouth College (78 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (65 graduates), University of Colorado Boulder (CU) (56 graduates), University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman Campus (52 graduates), and Clark University (41 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,008 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
65 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
52 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Clark University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | clarku.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
35 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Southern Illinois University (SIUE) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Edwardsville, Illinois | Public | siue.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
23 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23 | Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWL) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | La Crosse, Wisconsin | Public | uwlax.edu |
| University of Florida (UF Online) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufonline.ufl.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Master's
|
12 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Master's
|
9 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Westminster University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | westminstercollege.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Public | bridgew.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
6 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| SUNY Buffalo State University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Buffalo, New York | Public | suny.buffalostate.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Other Award
|
4 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | uwp.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| Dalton State College (DSC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Dalton, Georgia | Public | daltonstate.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Geography and Environmental Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Geography and Environmental Studies degree?
Salaries for Geography and Environmental Studies graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other earn around $100,340. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,476 compared to $53,817 in Delaware. Approximately 299,550 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 Geography and Environmental Studies programs?
Currently 55 accredited institutions offer Geography and Environmental Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Dartmouth College (78 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (65 graduates), and University of Colorado Boulder (CU) (56 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.
What career paths are available with a Geography and Environmental Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and Geographers. Related occupations employ approximately 299,550 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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