Best Schools for Environmental Design

Environmental Design graduates earn a median of $41,958 within two years of graduation, ranking #109 out of 292 tracked majors — 18% above the median across all fields. There are 11 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 208 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Cornell University graduates earn $57,318 while University of Massachusetts-Amherst graduates earn $30,366 — a $26,952 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is strong: Environmental Design graduates see an average 18% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

11
Schools
$41,958
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#109
of 292 Majors
208
Graduates

Public vs Private: Environmental Design

Public (9 schools)
$38,986
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (1 schools)
$57,318
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $18,332 more in early earnings on average for Environmental Design graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Environmental Design by State

Top Environmental Design Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
C

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

$57,318
2yr Earnings
1yr: $58,069
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 8.2%
#2
F

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL · Public

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,280
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 73.4%
#3
B

Boston Architectural College

Boston, MA ·

$53,358
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#4
U

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public

$49,019
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,517
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 69.7%
#5
U

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

$39,663
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,307
Grads: 71
Acceptance: 83.3%
#6
M

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $20,010
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 86.8%
#7
U

Utah State University

Logan, UT · Public

$36,848
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,039
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 93.6%
#8
B

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$35,416
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,015
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 80.6%
#9
U

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 69.3%
#10
U

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$32,382
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.0%
#11
U

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public

$30,366
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,881
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 57.8%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Environmental Design?
Cornell University ranks #1 for Environmental Design with median graduate earnings of $57,318 within two years. There are 11 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Environmental Design graduates earn?
Environmental Design graduates earn an average of $41,958 within two years of graduation. This is 18% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $30,366 to $57,318 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Environmental Design program?
The average acceptance rate across Environmental Design programs is 70.0%. The most selective program is at Cornell University with a 8.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Environmental Design?
Private Environmental Design programs average $57,318 in early earnings vs $38,986 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

Get Environmental Design Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.