Environmental Design graduates earn $57,461 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,249 and $73,508. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Environmental Design is a focused area of study within Architecture. Graduates typically earn around $57,461 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 61 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 719 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$40,176
Median Earnings · 4yr
$57,461
Colleges Offering
61
Graduates / Year
719
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,794
How Much Do Environmental Design Graduates Earn?
Environmental Design graduates earn $57,461 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,249 and $73,508. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $40,176 climbs to $57,461 by year four.
$40,176
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$57,461
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$56,561
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Environmental Design graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$44,24925th pct.
$57,461Median
$73,50875th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,461 and an estimated $83,176 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.0 years.
Based on outcomes from 39 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 719 students who complete Environmental Design programs each year, the majority (77%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
77%
Bachelor's77%
Post-Bacc Cert.12%
Master's4%
What Can You Do With an Environmental Design Degree?
Environmental Design connects to 6 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as architectural design methods, aesthetics and design, and structures and materials.
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingSystems AnalysisReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.
Design, promote, or administer government plans or policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing, or transportation.
Advise planning officials on project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, regulatory conformance, or possible alternatives.
Create, prepare, or requisition graphic or narrative reports on land use data, including land area maps overlaid with geographic variables, such as population density.
SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan and design land areas for projects such as parks and other recreational facilities, airports, highways, hospitals, schools, land subdivisions, and commercial, industrial, and residential sites.
Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
Analyze data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design.
Design plans to be safe and to be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) and related software to produce construction documents.
Research health and safety code requirements to inform design.
Top Colleges for Environmental Design
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Environmental Design students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Environmental Design program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Environmental Design shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $57,461 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $40,176 at graduation to $57,461 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 36,100 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Environmental Design graduates earn a national median of $57,461 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,249 and $73,508. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Environmental Design degree?
One year after graduation, Environmental Design degree holders earn a median of $40,176. That climbs to $57,461 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Environmental Design degree?
Environmental Design degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Environmental Design program take?
A Environmental Design bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Environmental Design?
61 colleges and universities in the United States offer Environmental Design programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Environmental Design degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $57,461 and an average net price of roughly $20,794/yr, a Environmental Design degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Environmental Design and Architecture?
Environmental Design is a focused concentration within the broader Architecture field. The Architecture major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Environmental Design-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Environmental Design graduates?
Employers hiring Environmental Design graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Environmental Design graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Environmental Design graduates?
The job outlook for Environmental Design graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.3% job growth over the next 10 years. Architects is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.9%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Architecture Programs
Other programs in Architecture. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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