Explore the natural laboratory of the outdoors through fieldwork, hands-on labs, travel courses, and your own research. Our environmental science degree combines geology, chemistry, and biology, equipping you with the skills for a successful career as an environmental scientist, state park naturalist, lab analyst, and many other roles in government, industry, and the nonprofit sector.
Why Study Environmental Science at Vermont State?
- Launch a high-paying career: Environmental scientists earn an average of $76,530*.
- Learn outside: You’ll explore the natural laboratory of the outdoors through lab and travel courses. Students have examined Vermont’s natural ecosystems as well as the Mojave Desert, Belize, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Olympic Peninsula, and more.
- Develop a versatile skillset: With an emphasis on both the physical and ecological sciences, you’ll be prepared for a wide variety of careers from fieldwork to lab work and can easily adapt to changes in the job market.
- Prepare for graduate studies: Students have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in environmental science, environmental law, soil science, and other in-demand fields.
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Financial Aid for Environmental Science Students
Vermont State University is providing a high-quality, affordable degree in environmental science to students across Vermont and beyond. More than 80 percent of Vermont State students are awarded financial aid, including new students, transfer students, international students, out-of-state students, and first-generation students. Our financial aid team is here to help you explore all your options.
Internships & Jobs in Environmental Science
One of the hallmarks of Vermont State’s environmental science program is the expansive opportunities for student research, which is often conducted alongside faculty. Students in the program have gone on to pursue careers as:
- Water Quality Analysts
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Engineers
- Lab Technicians
- Environmental Education Teachers
High School Teaching Option
Are you interested in pursuing secondary education licensure in the sciences? If so, the Natural Science major is designed to prepare students for teaching high school science in a variety of areas with courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and environmental science. Students would pair this major with a second major in the Inclusive Adolescent Education program (BA). This will allow them to pursue a license to teach science at the secondary level (grades 7-12).
Interested in Forest and Wildlife Conservation?
Many students also consider our applied program in Wildlife and Forest Conservation to become land managers, policymakers, and researchers. Learn more.
Minor in Environmental Science
Interested in adding a minor to your degree program? You can minor in Environmental Science.
Student Stories
“Working with partners in the field in my research and internships before I graduated helped me form professional relationships with people I would eventually get a job with.”
Alli Lewis ‘13
“Starting with day one of classes my first year I was doing fieldwork. Vermont is a great place to study the sciences.”
Ashley Breen ‘15
