20 Most Affordable Master’s in Environmental Management for 2020

environmental management graduate programs

Are you passionate about environmental issues? Want to make a real difference in how our natural resources are managed? Then, a master’s in environmental management degree program may be just what you need to jumpstart your dream career. To help with your pursuit of positive change (for both the planet and yourself!), we’ve ranked the top 20 most affordable master of environmental management programs.

Do you want to know which schools are dedicated to lessening their carbon footprint? Check out our ranking of the colleges utilizing alternative energy sources here.

Types of degrees covered in this ranking include the following:

  • Master’s in Natural Resources and Environmental Management
  • Master of Environmental Management (MEM)
  • Master of Environmental Systems: Energy Technology & Policy
  • Master of Public Affairs: Environmental Policy, Management and Law
  • MS in Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy & Law
  • Master of Planning: Environmental Planning
  • MS in Sustainability Management
  • MS in Environmental and Resource Management
  • Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management (MSEEM)
  • Master of Public Affairs- MS in Environmental Science
  • Master of Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy

Rating and Ranking Methodology
Tuition

  • Net Price Below $10,000: 4 points
  • Net Price Below $15,000: 3 points
  • Net Price Below $20,000: 2 points
  • Net Price Below $25,000: 1 point

Student to Faculty Ratio

  • Less than 20:1: 1 point
  • Less than 15: 1: 2 points
  • Less than 10: 1: 3 points

Return on Investment (ROI) According to Payscale.com

  • Top 500: 1 point
  • Top 300: 2 points
  • Top 150: 3 points

Student Support Network (faculty mentors/advisors, writing/technology support, etc.)— 1 point per item

Concentrations/Specializations – 1 point per item

Accreditation (School-Wide and Program-Specific) – 1 point per item

Campus Diversity Support Network – 1 point per item

“Wow” Factor – 1 point (anything that would mark a program as unique. Special qualities that make a program “stand out from the crowd.)

Ranking the 20 Most Affordable Master of Environmental Management Degree Programs

To develop this ranking of the 20 most affordable environmental management master’s programs, our editors began with an initial pool of 40 different programs. To narrow the pool, we applied a tuition filter, eliminating programs associated with tuition costs of more than $30,000 per year. Finally, we applied the rating and ranking methodology above, using data from College Navigator, PayScale.com, and each program’s website. In the case of a tie, the more affordable school received the higher ranking.

#20—University of Hawaii-Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

Master’s in Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Graduate Enrollment: 4,742
Points: 7

university-of-hawaii-manoa

The University of Hawaii-Manoa offers a master’s in environmental management from its College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management. Core requirements for the degree include a research seminar in natural resources and environmental management as well as courses like Evaluation of Natural Resources Management and Economic Analysis of Natural Resource Management. Students will also take 15 credit hours of elective classes and complete a master’s thesis prior to graduation. The University of Hawaii-Manoa is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the master of environmental management credential. The school has been ranked among the 80 best public schools in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $15,712

#19—Portland State University

Portland, Oregon

Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Graduate Enrollment: 5,354
Points: 7

portland-state-university

The environmental management master’s degree program from Portland State University is offered through the school’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the Department of Environmental Science and Management. Core courses required for the degree include Water Quality Policy and Management, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Regulation and Non-Regulatory Approaches, and Environmental Data Analysis, for example. A culminating project is also required prior to graduation. The program prepares students for work in environmental consulting, environmental government offices, resource agencies, and more. Portland State is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to award the master of environmental management credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the leading national universities in the United States.
Net Price: $13,758

#18—Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Master of Environmental Systems: Energy Technology & Policy

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Graduate Enrollment: 653
Points: 8

humboldt-state-university

The master of environmental management offering from Humboldt State University is an interdisciplinary Master of Science in Environmental Systems with a concentration in Energy Technology & Policy. The two-year program features course requirements such as Economics of Energy and Climate Change Policy, Development Technology, and Environmental Systems Data Collection & Analysis. A master’s thesis or research project is also required prior to graduation. Humboldt State is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the master’s environmental management degree. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 40 regional universities in the West as well as the top 50 best value schools nationwide.
Net Price: $14,506

#17—University of Colorado-Denver

Denver, Colorado

Master of Public Affairs: Environmental Policy, Management, and Law

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduate Enrollment: 9,202
Points: 8

 

The environmental management master’s offering from the University of Colorado- Denver is an MPA program with an emphasis in Environmental Policy, Management, and Law. The program is versatile, offering accelerated and online tracks. Required courses for the program include titles such as Introduction to Public Administration and Public Service, Economics and Public Finance, and Public Service Leadership and Ethics, for example. Students enrolled in the environmental management track will take additional classes like Environmental and Hazards Law and Seminar in Environmental Politics and Policy. UC- Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the master of environmental management degree. The school has been ranked among the leading public schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $14,477

#16—University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, California

MS in Range Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Graduate Enrollment: 11,648
Points: 10

The environmental management master’s degree option from the University of California-Berkeley is a Master of Science in Range Management. Offered through the school’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, the program features course titles such as Rangeland Ecology, Management of Grasslands and Woodlands, Land Use Controls, and Environmental Law and Resource Management, for instance. As a culminating element of the program, students can elect to complete a thesis or comprehensive oral exam. Graduates of the program are qualified to work in fields such as rangeland economics and policy, plant use and management, wildlife habitat management, and conservation policy. UC-Berkeley is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the MS in environmental management. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 25 national universities and the top 5 public schools in the United States.
Net Price: $17,862

#15—Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado

Master’s in Environmental Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduate Enrollment: 428
Points: 10

Western Colorado University offers a robust Master of Environmental Management (MEM) degree program featuring three distinct emphasis areas: Integrative and Public Land Management, Sustainable & Resilient Communities, and Global Sustainability. Core courses comprising the curriculum for the program include Science of Environmental Management, Science of Mitigation and Adaptation, Environmental Politics and Policy, and Integrative Skill in Environmental Management. Depending on their chosen area of emphasis, students will also take additional classes such as Public Lands Management, Environmental Organization Development and Management, and Studies in Sustainable and Resilient Communities, for example. A master’s project and portfolio are also required prior to graduation. Western Colorado University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the master of environmental management credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 70 regional universities in the West as well as the 30 best public schools nationwide.
Net Price: $17,230

#14—University of Montana

Missoula, Montana

MS in Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy & Law

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduate Enrollment: 2,656
Points: 10

The environmental management master’s program from the University of Montana is an interdisciplinary Master of Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Environmental Policy & Law. Core courses for the degree may include Scientific Approaches to Environmental Problems, Environmental Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Environmental Writing, and Ethical Issues in Ecological Restoration. Students will also take specialization classes such as Foundations of Natural Resources Conflict Resolution, Environmental Law, and Public Land & Resources Law. As a culminating element of the program, students will elect to complete a thesis, professional paper, or portfolio. Internships are also available. The University of Montana is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to award the master’s in environmental management credential. The school has been ranked among the leading public schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $14,186

#13—Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Master of Planning: Environmental Planning

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Graduate Enrollment: 8,533
Points: 10

Florida State University

Florida State’s master of environmental management program is a Master’s in Planning with a specialization in Environmental Planning. Offered through the university’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and the Department of Urban & Regional Planning, the program features core courses such as Environmental Planning and Methods of Environmental Analysis. Elective offerings include Sustainable Development Planning in the Americas, Planning for Mitigating Climate Change, and Environmental Legislation and Policy, for example. A planning internship is also required for the degree as is a capstone project or thesis. FSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the master’s in environmental management degree. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 60 national universities, the top 20 public schools, and the top 40 most innovative schools in the country.
Net Price: $13,318

#12—Columbia University

New York, New York

MS in Sustainability Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Graduate Enrollment: 22,861
Points: 11

Columbia University offers a master of environmental management program through its School of Professional Studies and the Earth Institute. An MS option in Sustainability Management, the program features course titles such as Implementation of Corporate Sustainability Strategies, Ethics for Sustainability Management and Finance, Energy and Sustainable Development, and International Environmental Law, for instance. Graduate certificates are available in Sustainable Analytics, Sustainable Finance, and Sustainable Water Management. Columbia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award the master’s in environmental management credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the university among the top 10 best value schools in the nation and named it the 3rd best national university in the United States.
Net Price: $21,220

#11—Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, Georgia

Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management (MSEEM)

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduate Enrollment: 16,674
Points: 12

Georgia Institute of Technology offers a master’s degree in environmental management through the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and the School of Public Policy. A convenient Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management (MSEEM) program, the program features optional distance learning and part-time tracks. Students enrolled in the program will take two required classes: Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management and Economics of Environmental Policy. Elective offerings include Energy Technology and Policy, Earth Systems, and Climate Policy, for instance. Georgia Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the environmental management master’s credential. The school has been ranked among the top 30 national universities in the United States as well as the top 5 most innovative schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $16,950

#10—Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona

MS in Environmental and Resource Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduate Enrollment: 8,741
Points: 12

best colleges arizona

Arizona State University’s master’s in environmental management program is offered through the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Students enrolled in the program can choose from two areas of concentration: Environmental Management and International Environmental Management and Sustainable Development. Core courses comprising the program’s curriculum include Toxicology, Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, and Environmental Law. Depending on their chosen concentration, students will also take additional classes like Environmental Leadership, International Environmental Law and Policy, Hazardous Waste Management, and Sustainable Development, for example. ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the environmental management master’s degree. U.S. News & World Report has named the university the #1 most innovative school in the country.
Net Price: $13,731

#9—University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, Texas

MS in Environmental Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduate Enrollment: 2,749
Points: 12

The University of Houston- Clear Lake offers a flexible master of environmental management featuring evening, online, and hybrid options. Major requirements for the degree include Environmental Impact Assessment, Survey of Business Principles, Pollution Control Technology, and Environmental Law. Students enrolled in the program will also choose from elective offerings like The Global Environment of Business, Organizational Development, and Leading Technology. Hands-on learning experiences are available through the Environmental Institute of Houston. UHCL is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the environmental management master’s credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 50 regional universities in the West and the top 20 public schools nationwide.
Net Price: $10,664

#8—University of California-Davis

Davis, California

MS in Environmental Policy and Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Graduate Enrollment: 7,449
Points: 13

The master of environmental management program from the University of California- Davis is offered through the school’s John Muir Institute of the Environment. The program features three distinct specialization options: Natural Systems, Quantitative Tools, and Social Systems. Core courses required for the degree include Strategies of Environmental Administration and Management, Environmental Policy Evaluation, Environmental Policy Process, and Analysis of Environmental Management and Policy. Depending on their chosen area of specialization, students will take additional classes like Conservation Management, Statistics & Data Analysis, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Water Resource Management, for instance. A comprehensive exam is also required prior to graduation. UC-Davis is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the environmental management master’s degree. The school has been ranked among the top 40 national universities and the top 15 public schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $15,724

#7—Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Graduate Enrollment: 9,924
Points: 14

Duke University offers a master’s in environmental management degree program from its renowned Nicholas School of the Environment. Core courses required for the program include Ecosystem Science and Management, Program Management for Environmental Professionals, Environmental Law and Policy, and Economics of Environmental Management. Electives include Survey of Environmental Leadership, Green Development, The Science of Climate Change, and Business Strategy for Environmental Sustainability, for example. A master’s project or capstone in environmental leadership is also required prior to graduation. Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the environmental management master’s credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 10 national universities as well as the top 10 best value schools in the country.
Net Price: $19,785

#6—University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

MS in Environment and Sustainability: Environmental Policy and Planning

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Graduate Enrollment: 16,398
Points: 14

The master of environmental management program from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is offered through the university’s School for Environment and Sustainability. An MS in Environment and Sustainability with an emphasis in Environmental Policy and Planning, the program utilizes field-based learning. Sample course titles comprising the curriculum for the program include Landscape Planning and Analysis, Energy Markets and Energy Politics, and Negotiating Skills in Environmental Dispute Resolution, for instance. Dual degree options are available in fields such as business, law, and public policy. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the master’s degree in environmental management. The school has been ranked among the top 25 national universities and the top 5 best value schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Net Price: $16,856

#5—University of Washington

Seattle, Washington

Master of Public Affairs: Environmental Policy and Management

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduate Enrollment: 15,301
Points: 14

university-of-washington

The University of Washington’s master’s in environmental management program is a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) with a specialization in Environmental Policy and Management. Offered through the Evans School of Public Policy and Management, the program features course titles such as Economic Approaches to Environmental Management, Climate Change and Energy Policy, Risk Assessment for Environmental Health Hazards, and Environmental Decision Analysis, for example. A capstone project is also required prior to graduation. Students may opt to enroll in the program on a part-time or full-time basis. The University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to award this master of environmental management credential. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 65 national universities and the 55 most innovative schools in the country.
Net Price: $9,765

#4—Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.

Master of Environmental Studies: Environmental Policy

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Graduate Enrollment: 14,009
Points: 15

The master’s in environmental management option from Georgetown University is a standout MS program in Environmental Metrology & Policy (EMAP). The interdisciplinary degree plan is comprised of course titles such as Introduction to Environmental Policy Science, Statistical Methods in Metrology, Introduction to Data Science and Machine Learning for Environmental Metrology, and Introduction to U.S. and International Environmental Laws and Regulations, for example. Internships are available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Flexible scheduling options are available as is an accelerated track. Georgetown University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education to award the master of environmental management degree. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 25 national universities in the country as well as the 30 best value schools nationwide.
Net Price: $28,509

#3—Indiana University-Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Master of Public Affairs- MS in Environmental Science

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduate Enrollment: 10,202
Points: 15

Top 10 Online Colleges in Indiana: Indianapolis, Indiana

The unique master’s in environmental management offering from Indiana University-Bloomington is a dual Master of Public Affairs- MS in Environmental Science dual degree featuring concentrations in Water Management, Energy, Environmental Management, and Environmental Systems Analysis & Modeling. Offered through the university’s O’Neill Schools of Public and Environmental Affairs, the 60-credit hour program consists of core public affairs courses such as Environmental Management, Public Finance and Budgeting, and Law and Public Affairs as well as core environmental science classes like Applied Ecology, Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science, and Environmental Chemistry. Students will also take tool skill courses, including Environmental Risk Analysis and Vector-Based Geographic Information Systems. An experiential learning component is required as is a capstone project. IU- Bloomington is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the graduate credential in environmental management. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 80 national universities as well as the top 80 most innovative schools in the country.
Net Price: $11,931

#2—University of California- Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

Master of Environmental Science and Management (MSEM)

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Graduate Enrollment: 2,906
Points: 16

university-of-california-santa-barbara

The University of California- Santa Barbara offers a master of environmental management program through its distinguished Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. This versatile option features seven different specialization options, including Corporate Environmental Management, Energy and Climate, Conservation Planning, Economics and Politics of the Environment, and more. Regardless of specialization, all students enrolled in the program will take core courses such as Economics of Environmental Management, Business and the Environment, Ecology of Managed Ecosystems, and Environmental Law & Policy, for instance. As a culminating element of the program, students will also opt to complete either an eco-entrepreneurship project or a group project in environmental management. UC- Santa Barbara is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission to award the master’s in environmental management. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 35 national universities and the top 10 public schools in the country.
Net Price: $16,912

#1—Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Master of Environmental Management (MEM)

Website
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Graduate Enrollment: 7,469
Points: 23

Yale University offers a master’s degree in environmental management from its well-known School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. The program is highly versatile, including nearly a dozen specialization options such as Industrial Ecology and Green Chemistry, Water Resource Science and Management, Energy and the Environment, and Environmental Policy Analysis, for example. A self-designed specialization is also available. Core courses required for the degree include Topics in Community Engagement, Ecological Patterns and Processes, Physical Science Foundations for Environmental Managers, and Microeconomics for Environmental Management. A capstone course or independent project is also required prior to graduation. Yale University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education to award the master’s in environmental management. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school among the top 5 national universities as well as the top 5 best value schools in the nation.
Net Price: $18,748

About Master’s in Environmental Management Degree Programs

Master of environmental management degree programs are suitable for individuals who wish to pursue leadership positions in which they make decisions related to environmental policy and operations. These two-year programs of study prepare graduates to work in a variety of different industries, including government and regulatory agencies, nonprofits, business, education, and consulting, for example.

Types of Environmental Management Master’s Degree Programs

No two master of environmental management programs are exactly the same. When choosing a program, it’s good to be aware of the different types and formats available.

Part-Time Versus Full-Time Master of Environmental Management Offerings

Many master’s programs in environmental management are specifically designed for working professionals. As such, these programs offer flexible scheduling options, including part-time tracks. Students enrolled in a part-time environmental management degree program can keep their day jobs while pursuing an advanced degree. Enrolling in a part-time program is convenient, but keep in mind that it may make completing your degree take a little longer.

Online Versus On-Campus Environmental Management Master’s Degree Options

Increasingly, colleges and universities are offering their master’s in environmental management programs online via distance learning platforms. These online options are not only highly convenient, but in most cases, they’re also just as rigorous and effective as their on-campus counterparts. Online master’s degree programs in environmental management are generally either asynchronous or synchronous in nature. Asynchronous programs are the more flexible of the two, enabling students to make their own class schedules and deadlines for the most part. Synchronous programs, on the other hand, require specific deadlines and times for virtual class meetings.

Some environmental management master’s programs are offered via a hybrid format, combining online and in-person class meetings.

Master of Environmental Management Degree Programs: Admission

The process of being admitted into an environmental management master’s program is not unlike the admissions process for any other type of graduate degree program. Still, admissions requirements will vary by school and program. While it’s best to speak to an admissions counselor for specific admissions criteria, we can provide general information about some of the common requirements for entry into these types of programs.

At a minimum, you can expect to submit your undergraduate transcript from an accredited college or university proving that you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or a related field. Some graduate schools prefer a background in environmental science or environmental studies while others are more liberal in terms of the types of undergraduate degrees they will consider. Your undergraduate transcript should also demonstrate a minimum grade point average varying from 2.5 to 3.5 on average, depending on the school.

Graduate school entrance examination scores such as the GRE are also required for most master of environmental management degree programs. Acceptable scores will vary by the specific college or university you’re applying to. Additional admissions requirements may include writing samples, personal statements, and letters of reference.

Master of Environmental Management: Curriculum

The curriculum for a master’s degree in environmental management combines the study of the natural sciences with courses in management and leadership. Topics covered by the curriculum may include environmental policy analysis, risk assessment, sustainability principles, waste management, natural resource management, and more.

Core Environmental Management Classes

Master of environmental management degree programs are invariably comprised of core courses that students must take in order to earn their credentials in the field. Often, these classes make up the majority of coursework required for the degree. Core course titles will vary from program to program, but the topics covered are usually similar. Below, you will find some sample core courses taken from actual master’s in environmental management programs:

Economics of Environmental Management

Environmental Law and Policy

Public Policy and Communication

Environmental Health and Epidemiology

Fundamentals of Environmental Systems

New Technologies in Environmental Management

Environmental Management Electives

Core courses are perhaps the most substantive part of a master’s program in environmental management, but they’re not the only classes a student enrolled in such a program will take. In most cases, students will also choose from available elective classes in environmental management. These electives represent topics that aren’t required areas of study but may be of interest to students and/or could help them prepare for a specific career path. Sometimes, elective classes can be chosen strategically to fulfill a concentration, specialization, or area of emphasis. Sample elective classes are listed below for your reference:

Environmental Ethics and Decision Making

Energy Policy and Sustainability

Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences

Concepts and Methods in GIS

The Science of Climate Change

Restoration Ecology: Principles & Practice

Culminating Element

In addition to coursework, most environmental management master’s degree programs require students to participate in a culminating experience or complete a capstone project. This requirement is usually completed toward the end of the program right before graduation. Through this final element of the program, students are given the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned, and in some cases, apply their learning to a real-world scenario. Examples of culminating elements include internships, practicums, comprehensive examinations, scholarly research projects, and theses.

Most Frequently-Searched Master’s in Environmental Management Programs

Below we list some of the most popular environmental management master’s offerings, according to the search engines.

Duke University: Master of Environmental Management (MEM) –Duke University offers its affordable master’s in environmental management program through its renowned Nicholas School of the Environment. A culminating master’s project is required.

University of California- Berkeley: MS Range Management—The master of environmental management offering from the University of California- Berkeley is a Master of Science in Range Management. Both comprehensive exam and thesis tracks are available.

University of Findlay: MS in Environmental, Safety and Health Management—The University of Findlay’s affordable environmental management master’s program is a unique Master of Science in Environmental, Safety and Health Management option. This degree program can be completed on campus, online, or via a blended learning format.

Harvard University: Master of Liberal Arts in Sustainability—Harvard University offers its master’s in environmental management program through the Harvard Extension School. The program can be completed online with the exception of three weeks on campus.

Yale University: Master of Environmental Management—Yale University’s master of environmental management program is offered through the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. The curriculum for the program is highly versatile, featuring ten different specialization options.

Frequently-Asked Questions About Master of Environmental Management Degrees

It’s normal to have some questions before enrolling in an environmental management master’s degree program. While it’s best to speak to an admissions counselor for full details about a school’s degree programs, we can give you some general information about typical master’s in environmental management degree offerings in the form of FAQs.

Q: How long does it take to earn a master’s in environmental management degree?

A: Generally, you can expect to spend two years working towards your master of environmental management degree, but this will depend on your course load. Some accelerated programs exist that enable students to complete degree requirements in as few as 18 months while part-time programs may take over two years to finish.

Q: How much does it cost to earn a master’s degree in environmental management?

A: The cost of environmental management master’s programs varies significantly from school to school, but the tuition for most programs is between $10,000 and $20,000 per year.

Q: Can I earn my environmental management master’s degree online?

A: Yes. The affordable master of environmental management master’s programs in this ranking are on-campus options, but online programs are available.

Q: Can I enroll in a master of environmental management degree program on a part-time basis?

A: Yes. Some master’s in environmental management degree programs are specifically designed for working professionals. These programs often feature convenient scheduling options such as part-time and online options.

Career Questions Regarding Environmental Management Master’s Degrees

Earning your master of environmental management degree is just half the battle. Upon graduation from the program of your choice, you’ll be embarking on a long and successful career in the field. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding employment in the field of environmental management:

Q: Is a master’s in environmental management program worth it?

A: This is a question that can only be answered on an individual, case by case basis. A master’s degree in any subject requires a heavy investment of both time and money. Master’s programs in environmental management are no different. Most people who are intrigued by environmental issues and passionate about making a difference in the field will find the program to be worthwhile.

Q: What are the best jobs for master’s in environmental management graduates?

A: There are many good jobs for professionals with a master’s degree in environmental management. Some of these include land use planner, environmental policy analyst, sustainability manager, environmental consultant, etc.

Q: How much will I make with an environmental management master’s credential?

A: Your precise salary with a master’s degree in environmental management will vary depending on your employer, your exact job title, and the number of years of work experience you have in the field. To give you a general idea of what you can expect to make with this credential, however, Payscale.com reports the average salary of master of environmental management degree holders to be $68,000 per year.

Q: Are professional organizations available in environmental management?

A: Yes. Dozens of professional organizations and associations in environmental sciences are available. Below, you will find a sampling of those that may be of particular interest to graduates of master’s degree programs in environmental management:

  • The National Association for Environmental Management (NAEM)
  • Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide
  • Association of Environmental and Resource Economics
  • National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP)

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