Rankings / Outcomes
Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science
- 50
- Schools
- $89,389
- Avg. Earnings
- 89%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,972
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,122
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $69,498 at the low end to $143,372 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Princeton University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $110,066 against $6,128 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, Princeton University at $6,128 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $110,066, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 89% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Princeton University: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Princeton University ($6,128/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $110,066 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $37,628 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Princeton University outperforms Massachusetts Institute of Technology: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students versus 57% at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Princeton University and Harvard University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $85K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology #1 overall | $143,372 ▲ +60% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 95 |
| 2 Stanford University #2 overall | $124,080 ▲ +39% vs avg | $13,807 | 92% | 95 |
| 3 Harvey Mudd College #3 overall | $138,687 ▲ +55% vs avg | $35,924 | 93% | 90 |
| $114,862 ▲ +28% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 89 | |
| $128,566 ▲ +44% vs avg | $16,075 | 94% | 89 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $89,389 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 89% and an average net price of $24,972.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Princeton University — Net Price: $6,128 | Graduation Rate: 97%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Opportunity & Mobility Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about opportunity, mobility, and the future of higher education in America?
$84,971
Median earnings (10yr)
91%
Median graduation rate
$23,572
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
This national ranking strips away reputation and looks at what colleges deliver: earnings, completion, mobility, and affordability. The schools at the top are not necessarily the most famous or the most selective. They are the ones producing strong outcomes for a broad cross-section of students, the truest measure of institutional effectiveness.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $84,971 ten years after enrollment, or about $36,971 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 91%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $23,572 a year with about $17,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 18% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.9%.
The schools winning this ranking combine strong outcomes with broad access. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology leads on mobility, and list-wide median earnings reach $84,971. The institutions rising to the top are the ones leaving students measurably better off.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 95/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 60% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Stanford University lands at #2 with a 95/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $124,080 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Harvey Mudd College lands at #3 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $138,687 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,924 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #4 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
California Institute of Technology lands at #5 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (82/100). Graduates earn a median $128,566 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,075 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Princeton University lands at #6 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Harvard University lands at #7 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Yale University lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Dartmouth College lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Villanova University lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Chicago lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Washington and Lee University lands at #13 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Rice University lands at #14 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Williams College lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Johns Hopkins University lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Lafayette College lands at #17 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
College of the Holy Cross lands at #18 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $90,543 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,782 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Washington University in St Louis lands at #19 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Wellesley College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of California-Berkeley lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,446 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,481 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Case Western Reserve University lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $87,989 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $41,190 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Cal Poly Maritime Academy lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $94,784 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,555 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Colgate University lands at #24 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Bowdoin College lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $82,735 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,398 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Haverford College lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Davidson College lands at #27 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Colby College lands at #28 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,490 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #29
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #29 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $86,863 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Union College lands at #30 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $88,604 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,561 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Illinois Institute of Technology lands at #31 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $82,592 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,425 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Emory University lands at #32 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Swarthmore College lands at #33 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Pomona College lands at #34 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Amherst College lands at #35 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,644 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Hamilton College lands at #36 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $78,411 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,985 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
University of Rochester lands at #37 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Socorro, NM · 44% accepted · $9,873 net
Why it ranks #38
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology lands at #38 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (71/100). Graduates earn a median $76,489 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,873 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Carleton College lands at #39 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $75,525 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,407 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Virginia Military Institute lands at #40 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $77,369 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,113 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Middlebury College lands at #41 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,310 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,483 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
William & Mary lands at #42 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Brandeis University lands at #43 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $77,231 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $35,736 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Prescott, AZ · 77% accepted · $40,287 net
Why it ranks #44
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott lands at #44 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $84,131 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $40,287 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Franklin and Marshall College lands at #45 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $76,124 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,425 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Bryn Mawr College lands at #46 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Occidental College lands at #47 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $75,951 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $38,263 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Wesleyan University lands at #48 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Bates College lands at #49 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $69,498 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,351 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Stony Brook University lands at #50 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Top states on this list
This list highlights colleges known for producing high-earning graduates in Environmental Science, particularly those focusing on Physical Sciences. With an average earning of $97,375, the schools here not only prepare students academically but also position them for lucrative careers in a growing field.
What sets these institutions apart are their strong graduation rates, manageable debt, and impressive post-graduation earnings. For example, graduates from the top schools have completion rates averaging 88%, while many face minimal debt loads, allowing them to pursue careers without the burden of significant financial stress. The list below reflects these outcomes, showcasing the schools that excel in preparing students for successful futures.
Consider Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stanford graduates earn an average of $124,080, but their net price is $13,807, resulting in a debt of $12,000. In contrast, MIT graduates have higher earnings at $143,372, yet they face a higher net price of $20,111 and debt of $14,768. This contrast highlights the trade-offs families must consider as they assess their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 44 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.9%. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology leads the group at 4%, with Illinois Institute of Technology (3.6%) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 3.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Occidental College leads at 8.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 51.3% across this list. Harvey Mudd College posts the highest success rate at 74.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.79 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Princeton University reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When comparing Stanford University and Harvey Mudd College, we see a notable difference in their financial outlooks despite similar graduation rates. Stanford offers graduates $124,080 in earnings, with a lower average debt of $12,000 compared to Harvey Mudd's $138,687 earnings and $25,000 debt. This suggests that while Harvey Mudd graduates earn more, the financial burden is significantly heavier.
For students and families sifting through this list of 50 colleges, it's crucial to weigh the data against personal priorities. Consider factors like location, program fit, and campus culture alongside the financial metrics. If a school has a higher earning potential but also a steeper price tag and debt load, think about whether the investment aligns with your career goals and lifestyle preferences.
Ultimately, the data paints a clear picture: the path from college to a stable life is influenced not just by the degree earned but also by the financial decisions made along the way. One family's choice to attend a school with lower debt might lead to a more secure future, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making in this critical time.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $143,372 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $89,389 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Princeton University leads: graduates earn a median $110,066 against net price of about $6,128 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 89% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $24,972 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Princeton University is among the most affordable at roughly $6,128. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
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