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Director of sustainability education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a director of sustainability. Directors of sustainability usually study environmental science, business, or political science. 63% of directors of sustainability hold a bachelor's degree, and 27% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 380 real director of sustainability resumes to see exactly what director of sustainability education sections show.
The most common colleges for directors of sustainability are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online director of sustainability courses to help get the education required to be a director of sustainability.
What education do you need to become a director of sustainability?
What degree do you need to be a director of sustainability?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 27%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a director of sustainability?
- Business, 12%
- Political Science, 10%
- Economics, 5%
- Other Majors, 56%
Most common colleges for directors of sustainability
| Director of sustainability common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 9.09% |
| Purdue University | 7.58% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 7.58% |
| Arizona State University | 6.06% |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | 6.06% |
Best majors for directors of sustainability
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 16.7% |
| 2 | Business | 12.4% |
| 3 | Political Science | 10.2% |
| 4 | Economics | 5.4% |
| 5 | Biology | 4.8% |
Best colleges for directors of sustainability
The best colleges for directors of sustainability are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A director of sustainability with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of sustainability. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors of sustainability.
1. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH • Private
In-state tuition
$18,499
Enrollment
12,668
7. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
8. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,382
Enrollment
5,597
20 best online courses for directors of sustainability
Advertising disclosure
1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
2. Sustainable Business Enterprises
This course will explore current challenges and opportunities facing firms in the area of environmental sustainability. It will begin with an introduction to sustainability, with a particular focus on how environmental sustainability is relevant to business. Topics such as unsustainable consumption/consumer behavior, market research on sustainable product design , and sustainable value chains and communications will be covered. We will also cover the bottom-up approach in terms of immersion,...
3. Sustainability Management in Business
Everything you need to know about creating sustainable value, ESG and building business resilience...
4. Sustainability Reporting with GRI Standards
GRI Sustainability Reporting - Understanding the Standards...
5. Sustainable Vikings: Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility in Scandinavia
This course gives you immediate access to the world leading sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Scandinavian firms dominate the major sustainability and CSR performance indicators including the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). In this course we explore the concepts of sustainability and CSR and focus attention on how Scandinavian firms, like Novo Nordisk, have achieved superior sustainability and CSR performances. We consider what lessons can be drawn by...
6. The Sustainability Imperative
In this course, learners begin with a macro-level view of the current state of the world and touch upon topics such as climate change, plastic pollution, social inequity, and the economic systems that got us to where we are today. Learners investigate how such an economy cannot sustain itself and the need for a rapid transition to something different. We define sustainability, the meaning of sustainable development, and the United Nations' Sustainability Goals. Recognizing that change is...
7. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry
A course dedicated to Marine life and Marine Ecosystem...
8. Solid Waste Mangement
A primer on the best practices for managing solid waste...
9. Sustainable Cities
This Specialization is intended for individuals and organizations interested in developing skills and strategies to create and support sustainable cities. Through these four courses, you will gain a strong understanding of the tools and concepts needed to succeed in reaching this goal. Successful case studies of smart growth applications will be evaluated and assessed for multiple cities throughout the United States. The concentration will provide students with an introduction to sustainable...
10. Managing Responsibly: Practicing Sustainability, Responsibility and Ethics
Managers are increasingly confronted with issues of sustainability, responsibility and ethics. Managing responsibly is an integrative approach to sustainability, responsibility and ethics, which allows you as a manager to deal competently with such challenges. This course will facilitate your learning process to engage in changing practices to make them more sustainable, responsible, and ethically informed. We will first introduce the context of the trend towards responsible management...
11. Supply Chain Management for Beginners
Get the basics of Supply Chain Management...
12. Basics of Sustainability: Learn in Simple Language
Sustainability is not just good to know, it's a must to know in this 21st century...
13. Careers in Sustainability
This course is an introduction to careers in sustainability, focusing primarily on the role of a sustainability analyst at public and private organizations. Through a mix of video, print, peer review, and interactive content, learners will be able to explain sustainability and the specifics of a sustainability analyst’s job within an organization. The course is structured around two elements: topical knowledge and practical application. Throughout the course, learners can practice what they...
14. Sustainable Cities and Communities
In this specialisation you will learn how to drive change in cities and communities towards sustainable, climate friendly, just, healthy and prosperous futures, and you will boost your career with new knowledge, understanding and skills for navigating urban transformations. This specialisation brings together a series of cutting-edge courses with world-leading teachers on cities, communities, sustainability, governance and innovation.\n\nThis specialisation is offered by the IIIEE at Lund...
15. ESG and Sustainable Investing 365
Foundational Course on ESG and Sustainable Finance Anchored in CFA Institute's research...
16. Warehouse Management in Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Warehouse Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management, Warehouse Inventory Management in Logistics and Supply Chain...
17. Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities
How can we shape our urban development towards sustainable and prosperous futures? This course explores sustainable cities as engines for greening the economy in Europe and around the world. We place cities in the context of sustainable urban transformation and climate change. We connect the key trends of urbanization, decarbonisation and sustainability. We examine how visions, experiments and innovations can transform urban areas. And we look at practices (what is happening in cities at...
18. Global Air Logistics Management in Supply Chain Management
2021 Air Logistics Management, Logistics Document, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Supply Chain Costing...
19. Sustainability: Impact, Value (s), Innovation, and Growth
Implement these principles to strategically leverage your organization's resources to boost business performance...
20. The Business of Logistics in Supply Chain Management
Kick start your Career as a Logistics Manager or a Supply Chain Manager...
Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of sustainability
The most affordable schools for directors of sustainability are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and university of south florida.
If the best universities for directors of sustainability are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors of sustainability.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
5. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Cost of attendance
24,718
9. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of sustainability
The hardest universities for directors of sustainability to get into are Northwestern University, Duke University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for directors of sustainability are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors of sustainability based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of sustainability
The easiest schools for directors of sustainability to get into are Saint Joseph's College of Maine, thomas more university, and curry college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of sustainability without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors of sustainability.
1. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
2. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
3. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
7. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
8. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
9. Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,069
10. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
Average director of sustainability salary by education level
| Director of sustainability education level | Director of sustainability salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $147,918 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $130,303 |
| Doctorate Degree | $151,933 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $108,264 |
Director of sustainability education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025