Best Online Sustainability Degrees

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Do you want to make the world a more eco-friendly place? Here are the 5 best online bachelor’s in sustainability.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in a growing industry is a smart investment in your future. Students that achieve their bachelor’s in sustainability are real leaders in the future of tomorrow. Throughout this degree, you will learn concepts of sustainability and how it can improve the environment, society, and profitability for organizations.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

What is an Online Sustainability degree?

When you complete an online bachelor’s degree in sustainability, you have a clear understanding of the different ways to care for the environment. Your opportunities for employment will coincide with your studies of sciences, social sciences, and humanities courses.

Students who achieve their bachelor’s in sustainability can genuinely serve several industry verticals. There is not a set industry that confines these types of professionals. Since it’s an in-demand field, any form of business can benefit from the skill sets that a student with a sustainability degree brings. Sustainability can be beneficial in business, technology, health and safety, education, construction, and even the government.

Most students complete an online bachelor’s in sustainability within four years. Some colleges will offer accelerated or self-paced programs.

How much can you earn with an Online Sustainability degree?

Students that earn an online bachelor’s degree in sustainability can acquire several different positions and roles within the field. By specializing in sustainability, you can offer useful and practical skills that can be applied within any workforce. According to PayScale, the median salary for a professional with a bachelor’s in sustainability is $45,000 per year.

Here are a few common positions held by individuals who have obtained their bachelor’s degree in sustainability:

  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Transportation Planner
  • Program Manager
  • Environmental Specialist
  • Energy Consultant

What is required for an Online Bachelor’s in Sustainability degree?

Like most bachelor programs, obtaining an online degree in sustainability typically takes four years. Most universities will offer full-time, accelerated, and part-time program options. Depending on your circumstances, you can earn your degree within two to five years!

There are no special, standard-specific requirements for achieving a sustainability degree. Just like applying for any bachelor program, you will have to provide official high school transcripts and/or a GED certificate. It is common for students to double-major within this discipline. For instance, combining a sustainability degree with a business degree will further your role within the workforce.

What are the best Online Bachelor’s in Sustainability degrees?

OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.

The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Quick Facts

  • Total of 63 credit hours
  • Same curriculum as on-campus students 
  • Senior capstone project 
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

76%

Programs Offered Online

6

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

13%

100%OSR Score

Earning your degree in sustainable management from the University of Wisconsin-Superior will prepare you for real-world problems in the workforce. You will know how to balance profitability while keeping the needs of the environment in mind. Some of the courses may include natural resource management, marketing for a sustainable world, and corporate social responsibility.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 127 credit hours
  • Kirkpatrick signature courses required
  • Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Programs Offered Online

51

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

1%

86%OSR Score

Bellevue University offers a 100-percent online bachelor’s program in sustainability management. Throughout this program, students will learn how to develop and implement strategies regarding environmental science, energy technology, green technology, and natural resource conservation. This program typically takes four years to complete.

Prescott College

Prescott College

Quick Facts

  • Total of 120 credit hours
  • Requires on-campus orientation 
  • Online and hybrid courses
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

85%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Programs Offered Online

36

Programs in Department

2

Popularity at School

3%

83%OSR Score

Prescott College offers a different online experience than other online programs. To earn your bachelor’s degree in sustainable community development, you will be required to work within your community throughout the program. Your courses will be half online and half hybrid, and you’ll work closely with an assigned mentor.

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Quick Facts

  • Total of 60 credit hours
  • Capstone project
  • Asynchronous classes
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

74%

Acceptance Rate

61%

Programs Offered Online

3

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

74%OSR Score

If understanding the synchrony between profit, people, and planet interests you, then the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s sustainability management program is the right fit for you. Students complete 21 courses total that equips them for sustainable best practices. Some of the courses you may take will include marketing for a sustainable world, systems thinking, and climate change.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University

Quick Facts

  • Total of 32+ quarter credits 
  • Only available as a double degree 
  • Four enrollment periods per year
Program Web Page

Schoolwide Rankings

Student Satisfaction

72%

Acceptance Rate

79%

Programs Offered Online

20

Median Debt

$22,460

Programs in Department

1

Popularity at School

2%

73%OSR Score

At Oregon State University, you can obtain your bachelor’s degree by double majoring! OSU students within this program have a primary major in another subject area and then complete their 32 credits within sustainability. If you’re looking for options within the profession, this is the program for you.

Online Schools Report is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.