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Environmental attorney education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an environmental attorney. Environmental attorneys usually study law, political science, or business. 49% of environmental attorneys hold a bachelor's degree, and 42% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 63 real environmental attorney resumes to see exactly what environmental attorney education sections show.

The most common colleges for environmental attorneys are the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati.

There are also many online environmental attorney courses to help get the education required to be an environmental attorney.

What education do you need to become an environmental attorney?

What degree do you need to be an environmental attorney?

The most common degree for environmental attorneys is bachelor's degree, with 49% of environmental attorneys earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 42% and doctoral degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 49%
  • Doctorate, 42%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Associate, 2%

What should I major in to become an environmental attorney?

You should major in law to become an environmental attorney. 37% of environmental attorneys major in law. Other common majors for an environmental attorney include political science and business.

Most common colleges for environmental attorneys

Environmental attorneys often get their degrees at University of Cincinnati, Lewis & Clark College, and Alfred University. Here are the most common colleges for environmental attorneys in the US based on their resumes.
Environmental attorney common collegePercentages
University of Cincinnati13.04%
Lewis & Clark College8.70%
Alfred University4.35%
Centre College4.35%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro4.35%

Best majors for environmental attorneys

RankMajorPercentages
1Law36.8%
2Political Science10.5%
3Business7.0%
4History7.0%
5Psychology5.3%

Best colleges for environmental attorneys

The best colleges for environmental attorneys are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

An environmental attorney with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for environmental attorneys. 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 environmental attorneys.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

9. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$58,230

Enrollment

6,600

10. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

20 best online courses for environmental attorneys

Advertising disclosure

1. Environmental Science

coursera

The Introduction to Environmental Science course explores the field of environmental science and encourages participants to understand how environmental scientists think. It addresses some important questions such as: 1. What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies? 2. How do both differ from environmentalism? 3. Why is energy so important in environmental science? 4. What do you mean by biodiversity? You will also explore what global cycles are and how they...

2. Introduction to Environmental Science

coursera

To understand current environmental problems, we need to consider physical, biological & chemical processes that are often the basis of those problems. This course will give you the skills necessary to address the environmental issues we are facing today by examining scientific principles and the application of those principles to natural systems. This course surveys some of the many environmental science topics at an introductory level, ultimately considering the sustainability of human...

3. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

udemy
4.4
(4,224)

Understand the requirements for an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015...

4. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management

udemy
4.4
(267)

Environmental management with AERMOD Air Pollution Model by EPA...

5. Human Health Risks, Health Equity, and Environmental Justice

coursera

The fourth and final course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will cover two topics. The first is environmental justice – that is, avoiding an inequitable distribution of environmental health threats in our population, and ensuring a healthy and safe environment and health equity for all. The second is risk assessment and management, a framework that can be utilized to assess and quantify human health risks, and to identify appropriate approaches to...

6. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis

coursera

Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...

7. The A to Z of ESG - Environmental & Social Governance

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4.2
(1,318)

A Perspective for Businesses on How to Manage ESG - Why it matters to Financial Performance and to the Economy...

8. Effective Legal Office Administration

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4.5
(1,067)

Effective Legal Office Administration...

9. Women in environmental biology

coursera

Have you ever wondered how humans relate to other living beings and what do you need to know to be able to understand current environmental problems? Do you know that many of these researches and knowledge have been described by women? This course gives answers to these questions and it is addressed to anyone interested in the relationship between humans and other living beings, as well as all those concerned about the global change situation that the planet is suffering. We will learn key...

10. Analyzing Macro-Environmental Factors Using Creately

coursera

By the end of this 2 hour-long guided project, you will be fluent in identifying and analyzing business markets and how to discover their attractiveness to new products and services. This project is designed to engage and harness your visionary and exploratory abilities. You will be using proven models in competitive strategy and the program Creately to explore and analyze these models. This is an important step for individuals or companies wanting to explore new markets for products or...

11. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

udemy
4.2
(954)

Environmental Issues...

12. Premium ACT® Prep Course: Improve Your ACT Score

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4.5
(907)

A comprehensive, fully-animated course that will help you master the ACT...

13. Voice Acting & Character Voices for Video Games & Animations

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4.7
(431)

Develop New Character Voices and Discover the Voice Acting Secrets of 10 Successful Voice Actors from Around The World!...

14. The Complete Acting Course

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4.8
(561)

15-Steps to Dramatically Improve Your Acting Skills...

15. Voice Acting Masterclass for Audiobooks & Narrations

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4.5
(1,029)

Develop New Voice Acting Skills FAST & Enjoy Creating Your Own Online Business Working from Home as a Voice Actor!...

16. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry

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4.7
(312)

A course dedicated to Marine life and Marine Ecosystem...

17. Certified Global ESG Professional (Associate Level)

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4.3
(773)

Learn Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Fundamentals, ESG Factors , Reporting and Valuation of ESG & Initiatives...

18. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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4.7
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Learn ACT: Use cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to increase psychological flexibility...

19. Legal English

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4.5
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Legal language and communication skills...

20. How I Booked 8 Acting Roles On Major TV Shows in a Year

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4.8
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Launch Your TV Acting Career: Impress Casting Directors, Get Auditions, and Book TV Roles. I'm Living Proof This Works!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental attorneys

The most affordable schools for environmental attorneys are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and florida state university.

If the best universities for environmental attorneys 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 environmental attorneys.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

8. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

11,299

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. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental attorneys

The hardest universities for environmental attorneys to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for environmental attorneys 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 environmental attorneys 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

8. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

9. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental attorneys

The easiest schools for environmental attorneys to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and nyack college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an environmental attorney 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 environmental attorneys.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

4. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average environmental attorney salary by education level

Environmental attorney education levelEnvironmental attorney salary
Doctorate Degree$83,985

Environmental attorney education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.