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Environmental compliance manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an environmental compliance manager. Environmental compliance managers usually study environmental science, biology, or business. 73% of environmental compliance managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 434 real environmental compliance manager resumes to see exactly what environmental compliance manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for environmental compliance managers are the Columbia Southern University and the Columbia Southern University.

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

There are certain environmental compliance manager certifications that you should consider. These environmental compliance manager certifications include Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and Environmental Compliance Certification (EC).

What education do you need to become an environmental compliance manager?

What degree do you need to be an environmental compliance manager?

The most common degree for environmental compliance managers is bachelor's degree, with 73% of environmental compliance managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 12% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 73%
  • Master's, 12%
  • Associate, 10%
  • Doctorate, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become an environmental compliance manager?

You should major in environmental science to become an environmental compliance manager. 19% of environmental compliance managers major in environmental science. Other common majors for an environmental compliance manager include biology and business.

Most common colleges for environmental compliance managers

Environmental compliance managers often get their degrees at Columbia Southern University, Purdue University, and West Virginia University. Here are the most common colleges for environmental compliance managers in the US based on their resumes.
Environmental compliance manager common collegePercentages
Columbia Southern University9.52%
Purdue University7.94%
West Virginia University6.35%
University of Georgia6.35%
Indiana University South Bend6.35%

Best majors for environmental compliance managers

Best colleges for environmental compliance managers

The best colleges for environmental compliance managers are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

An environmental compliance manager 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 compliance managers. 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 compliance managers.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

3. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

4. Colby College

Waterville, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$55,210

Enrollment

2,000

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

7. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,874

Enrollment

1,819

20 best online courses for environmental compliance managers

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1. Regulatory Compliance

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Every organization faces a myriad of risks that can threaten its operations, reputation, and bottom line. A robust, effective compliance program can make the difference between companies that successfully navigate those risks, and those that become cautionary tales.\n\nThis specialization will introduce the essential elements of effective organizational compliance by exploring the concepts, considerations, and strategies for assessing risks and managing the compliance function. You will learn...

2. Cybersecurity Management and Compliance

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In this course, you’ll learn about data and record management, Information security, standards and policy formation, and implementation. You’ll also explore cloud adoption frameworks and regulatory compliance frameworks. This course will take you one step closer to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience. After completing this course, you'll be able to: • Explain the principles of cloud security planning • Identify security...

3. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

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Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...

4. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

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4.4
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Understand the requirements for an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015...

5. What is Compliance?

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Compliance isn’t only about preventing problems and ensuring that everyone is abiding by laws, rules, and regulations. It’s also about the positive impact a robust and ethical compliance program can have on a business or organization. In this course we will discuss why compliance is important – from the needs facing businesses in highly regulated industries to avoiding fines and penalties to preventing reputational and economic nightmares. We’ll examine real-world examples of compliance and...

6. AWS: Network Security, Compliance and Governance

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AWS: Network Security, Compliance and Governance is the third course of Exam Prep ANS-C01: AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty specialization. This course will help learners designing and implementing AWS Security and compliance. You will also get a chance to evaluate monitoring strategies in support of security and compliance objectives. Learners will also get a chance to manage, optimize and troubleshoot AWS Network. The course is divided into two modules and each module is further...

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8. Air Dispersion Modeling for Environmental Management

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

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10. HIPAA Compliance Complete Course

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11. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

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Blockchain/Crypto Financial Crime Money Laundering Terrorist Financing AML & CTF Regulation Compliance Tools...

12. ISO 37001. Anti-bribery management system

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13. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance

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14. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

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The essentials of the banking business (business model, compliance, others), financial risk management and compliance...

15. Electrical, Electronics and PCB Design Safety & Compliance

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Learn the most important aspects and methods for designing safe electrical and electronics products and applications...

16. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance

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This course offers guidelines to recognizing, understanding and dealing with bribery, corruption and compliance...

17. HR 101: Compliance Made Easy - U.S. Employers Must Have

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Streamline the most critical human resource (HR) processes and be in compliance with U.S. employment regulations...

18. The Ultimate Guide to Money Laundering and AML Compliance

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19. PCI DSS Standard and Compliance Online Training

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Master the 12 Requirements of PCI DSS Compliance + Course Quiz + Useful Links for further understanding...

20. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues

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For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...

Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental compliance managers

The most affordable schools for environmental compliance managers are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and university of washington.

If the best universities for environmental compliance managers 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 compliance managers.

1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

2. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

3. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

4. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

5. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

6. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Cost of attendance

36,739

7. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Cost of attendance

23,600

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental compliance managers

The hardest universities for environmental compliance managers to get into are Duke University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for environmental compliance managers 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 compliance managers 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. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

5. Colby College

Waterville, ME • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,437

6. Amherst College

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,449

7. Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,465

8. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Hamilton College

Clinton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

21%

SAT average

1,446

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental compliance managers

The easiest schools for environmental compliance managers 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 an environmental compliance manager 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 compliance managers.

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. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

6. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

7. Clarke University

Dubuque, IA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

1,058

8. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

9. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

10. Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, TX • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,094

Average environmental compliance manager salary by education level

Environmental compliance managers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $95,370 annually. With a Master's degree, environmental compliance managers earn a median annual income of $82,720 compared to $72,832 for environmental compliance managers with an Bachelor's degree.
Environmental compliance manager education levelEnvironmental compliance manager salary
Master's Degree$82,720
High School Diploma or Less$57,465
Bachelor's Degree$72,832
Doctorate Degree$95,370
Some College/ Associate Degree$61,421

Environmental compliance manager 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.

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