MAJOR GUIDE
Best Colleges for Environmental Science (2026)
Best colleges for environmental science. UC Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, and 15+ programs compared by research, field stations, and sustainability careers.
Top Colleges for Environmental Science
Stanford University
Stanford, CA · 3.7% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1500-1570 · GPA: 3.96 · 7,760 undergrads
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · 11.4% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1330-1530 · GPA: 3.91 · 32,830 undergrads
Yale University
New Haven, CT · 3.7% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1510-1570 · GPA: 3.94 · 6,640 undergrads
Duke University
Durham, NC · 6.2% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1490-1570 · GPA: 4.13 · 6,680 undergrads
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI · 17.7% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1340-1530 · GPA: 3.9 · 32,600 undergrads
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · 80% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1150-1370 · GPA: 3.61 · 31,500 undergrads
University of Washington
Seattle, WA · 48% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1270-1470 · GPA: 3.81 · 36,600 undergrads
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · 7.5% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1470-1560 · GPA: 4.07 · 15,740 undergrads
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · 16.6% acceptance rate · Public
SAT: 1370-1510 · GPA: 4.32 · 17,500 undergrads
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT · 13% acceptance rate · Private
SAT: 1390-1520 · GPA: 3.91 · 2,750 undergrads
Career Paths for Environmental Science Majors
Environmental Scientist
Sustainability Consultant
Conservation Biologist
Environmental Policy Analyst
Climate Researcher
Frequently Asked Questions
Is environmental science a good major?
Demand for environmental professionals is growing rapidly due to climate policy, corporate sustainability mandates, and government regulation. Strong programs include field research opportunities.
Written by AdmitPath team
Rankings based on IPEDS data, program reputation, and career outcome metrics. Last updated June 2026.
Find the right Environmental Science program
Use the Major Exploration Map worksheet to match your interests to the best programs.