# Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: Outcomes
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-environmental-science

## Methodology

Ranked by graduate earnings with program concentration in Physical Sciences

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn an average of $143,372.
- Stanford University has a graduation rate of 92%, with only $12,000 in average debt.
- California Institute of Technology's graduates earn $128,566, with a net price of $16,075.
- The average graduate debt across these schools is $13,978.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Stanford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stanford-university) | Stanford, CA | 92% | $124,080 | $13,807 | $12,000 | 0.1x |
| 2 | [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology) | Cambridge, MA | 96% | $143,372 | $20,111 | $14,768 | 0.1x |
| 3 | [Harvey Mudd College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harvey-mudd-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $138,687 | $35,924 | $25,000 | 0.18x |
| 4 | [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university) | Pittsburgh, PA | 93% | $114,862 | $31,944 | $21,750 | 0.19x |
| 5 | [California Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-institute-of-technology) | Pasadena, CA | 94% | $128,566 | $16,075 | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | [Princeton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/princeton-university) | Princeton, NJ | 97% | $110,066 | $6,128 | $10,320 | 0.09x |
| 7 | [University of Pennsylvania](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-pennsylvania) | Philadelphia, PA | 97% | $111,371 | $28,699 | $15,715 | 0.14x |
| 8 | [Harvard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harvard-university) | Cambridge, MA | 97% | $101,817 | $19,066 | $14,000 | 0.14x |
| 9 | [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york) | New York, NY | 96% | $102,491 | $21,590 | $21,500 | 0.21x |
| 10 | [Yale University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yale-university) | New Haven, CT | 96% | $100,533 | $23,777 | $12,975 | 0.13x |
| 11 | [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute) | Troy, NY | 83% | $102,051 | $36,228 | $23,750 | 0.23x |
| 12 | [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dartmouth-college) | Hanover, NH | 96% | $97,434 | $29,519 | $17,500 | 0.18x |
| 13 | [Villanova University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/villanova-university) | Villanova, PA | 92% | $100,423 | $43,756 | $25,874 | 0.26x |
| 14 | [University of Chicago](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-chicago) | Chicago, IL | 95% | $91,885 | $14,860 | $15,000 | 0.16x |
| 15 | [Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brown-university) | Providence, RI | 96% | $93,487 | $25,184 | $11,428 | 0.12x |
| 16 | [Washington and Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-and-lee-university) | Lexington, VA | 94% | $94,810 | $23,781 | $19,500 | 0.21x |
| 17 | [Rice University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rice-university) | Houston, TX | 95% | $89,718 | $13,370 | $11,000 | 0.12x |
| 18 | [Williams College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williams-college) | Williamstown, MA | 95% | $88,665 | $17,716 | $12,761 | 0.14x |
| 19 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 20 | [Lafayette College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lafayette-college) | Easton, PA | 88% | $91,410 | $34,433 | $16,000 | 0.18x |
| 21 | [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/california-state-university-maritime-academy) | Vallejo, CA | 63% | $94,784 | $20,555 | $24,965 | 0.26x |
| 22 | [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross) | Worcester, MA | 88% | $90,543 | $38,782 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 23 | [Wellesley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wellesley-college) | Wellesley, MA | 91% | $84,803 | $25,496 | $10,000 | 0.12x |
| 24 | [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) | Berkeley, CA | 93% | $92,446 | $13,481 | $13,000 | 0.14x |
| 25 | [Case Western Reserve University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/case-western-reserve-university) | Cleveland, OH | 87% | $87,989 | $41,190 | $24,000 | 0.27x |
| 26 | [Colgate University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colgate-university) | Hamilton, NY | 91% | $85,139 | $28,786 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 27 | [Babson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/babson-college) | Wellesley, MA | 93% | $123,938 | $40,514 | $20,000 | 0.16x |
| 28 | [Bentley University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bentley-university) | Waltham, MA | 88% | $120,959 | $37,930 | $25,023 | 0.21x |
| 29 | [Bowdoin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowdoin-college) | Brunswick, ME | 95% | $82,735 | $14,398 | $18,500 | 0.22x |
| 30 | [MCPHS University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcphs-university) | Boston, MA | 63% | $125,557 | $39,545 | $25,000 | 0.2x |
| 31 | [Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albany-college-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences) | Albany, NY | 68% | $131,426 | $29,882 | $25,500 | 0.19x |
| 32 | [Haverford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/haverford-college) | Haverford, PA | 90% | $79,966 | $25,314 | $13,621 | 0.17x |
| 33 | [Davidson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/davidson-college) | Davidson, NC | 91% | $81,400 | $17,379 | $18,688 | 0.23x |
| 34 | [University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-health-sciences-and-pharmacy-in-st-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $137,047 | $31,817 | $17,755 | 0.13x |
| 35 | [Colby College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-college) | Waterville, ME | 89% | $80,490 | $17,180 | $19,157 | 0.24x |
| 36 | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus) | Charlottesville, VA | 95% | $86,863 | $21,565 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 37 | [Emory University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emory-university) | Atlanta, GA | 91% | $80,137 | $22,585 | $18,250 | 0.23x |
| 38 | [Missouri University of Science and Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/missouri-university-of-science-and-technology) | Rolla, MO | 64% | $82,957 | $16,298 | $23,250 | 0.28x |
| 39 | [Swarthmore College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/swarthmore-college) | Swarthmore, PA | 93% | $80,257 | $23,149 | $17,500 | 0.22x |
| 40 | [Amherst College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/amherst-college) | Amherst, MA | 94% | $77,644 | $23,367 | $13,740 | 0.18x |
| 41 | [Pomona College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pomona-college) | Claremont, CA | 93% | $77,779 | $19,285 | $11,782 | 0.15x |
| 42 | [University of California-San Diego](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-california-san-diego) | La Jolla, CA | 87% | $84,943 | $12,470 | $15,500 | 0.18x |
| 43 | [Franklin W Olin College of Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-w-olin-college-of-engineering) | Needham, MA | 94% | $129,455 | $25,171 | $19,500 | 0.15x |
| 44 | [University of Rochester](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-rochester) | Rochester, NY | 85% | $79,042 | $29,278 | $21,000 | 0.27x |
| 45 | [Hamilton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hamilton-college) | Clinton, NY | 91% | $78,411 | $28,985 | $17,000 | 0.22x |
| 46 | [New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-mexico-institute-of-mining-and-technology) | Socorro, NM | 57% | $76,489 | $9,873 | $19,085 | 0.25x |
| 47 | [Carleton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carleton-college) | Northfield, MN | 90% | $75,525 | $25,407 | $16,750 | 0.22x |
| 48 | [Middlebury College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middlebury-college) | Middlebury, VT | 92% | $76,310 | $31,483 | $13,857 | 0.18x |
| 49 | [Virginia Military Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-military-institute) | Lexington, VA | 79% | $77,369 | $17,113 | $22,996 | 0.3x |
| 50 | [William & Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-mary) | Williamsburg, VA | 90% | $73,490 | $19,096 | $18,500 | 0.25x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Highest-Paying Colleges for Environmental Science." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-environmental-science

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.