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Environmental health sanitarian education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an environmental health sanitarian. Environmental health sanitarians usually study biology, public health, or environmental science. 78% of environmental health sanitarians hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 98 real environmental health sanitarian resumes to see exactly what environmental health sanitarian education sections show.

The most common colleges for environmental health sanitarians are the Michigan State University and the Michigan State University.

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

What education do you need to become an environmental health sanitarian?

What degree do you need to be an environmental health sanitarian?

The most common degree for environmental health sanitarians is bachelor's degree, with 78% of environmental health sanitarians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 78%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Associate, 8%
  • License, 1%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an environmental health sanitarian?

You should major in biology to become an environmental health sanitarian. 31% of environmental health sanitarians major in biology. Other common majors for an environmental health sanitarian include public health and environmental science.

Most common colleges for environmental health sanitarians

Environmental health sanitarians often get their degrees at Michigan State University, Frostburg State University, and Southern Connecticut State University. Here are the most common colleges for environmental health sanitarians in the US based on their resumes.
Environmental health sanitarian common collegePercentages
Michigan State University15.00%
Frostburg State University7.50%
Southern Connecticut State University5.00%
University of Connecticut5.00%
Olivet College5.00%

Best majors for environmental health sanitarians

RankMajorPercentages
1Biology31.2%
2Public Health13.0%
3Environmental Science10.4%
4Chemistry7.8%
5Business3.9%

Best colleges for environmental health sanitarians

The best colleges for environmental health sanitarians are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

An environmental health sanitarian 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 health sanitarians. 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 health sanitarians.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for environmental health sanitarians

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

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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...

2. Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health

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In this specialization, you will explore how many public health outcomes are directly influenced by human contact with the environment. The four courses in this series will introduce you to the environmental health sciences (EHS) discipline; you'll examine the hazards of air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, radon, and noise; identify the major challenges posed by climate change and unsustainable practices; and use risk assessment to evaluate the health of population,...

3. Occupational Health & Safety Training

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Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

4. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

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(2,235)

How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...

5. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

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Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies. In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving...

6. Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy

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Welcome to "Bats, Ducks, and Pandemics: An Introduction to One Health Policy". One Health is the concept that human, animal, and environmental/ecosystem health are linked. The concept provides a useful framework for examining complex health issues such as food safety and security, emerging and vector-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. It can be used to analyze government policies to determine if they are effective in improving health and well-being. Agriculture is the foundation of...

7. Health Coaching Certification Holistic Wellness Health Coach

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9. Breastfeeding: Public Health Perspectives

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Engaging in this course will provide you with the opportunity to think about breastfeeding and its public health implications. The Socio-Ecological Model will be the framework of the course as we think about how each level of the Model (individual, interpersonal, community, organizational, and public policy) impacts breastfeeding practices in the United States, and globally. Through short video lectures you will be introduced to relevant topics related to the public health perspectives of...

10. Systems Thinking In Public Health

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This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. Problems in public health and health policy tend to be complex with many actors, institutions and risk factors involved. If an outcome depends on many interacting and adaptive parts and actors the outcome cannot be analyzed or predicted with traditional statistical methods. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health and helps health policymakers build programs and policies that are aware of and...

11. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

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It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

12. Health Masterclass: How To Transform Your Health & Life

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Master The 3 Surprising Steps That Can Finally Transform Your Health In The Next 30 Days...

13. The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health

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The People, Power, and Pride of Public Health provides an engaging overview of the incredible accomplishments and promise of the public health field. The first module includes interviews with legendary public health figures whose work led to millions of lives saved with vaccines, air bags and car seats, and the federal Women Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. The second module brings key public health tools to life -- including use of data, communications, and policy - through...

14. Health Systems Development: Introduction to Health Systems

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This specialization is intended for people interested in health systems and how they function. Participants will learn about the global health systems landscape and the challenges and opportunities to achieve better health outcomes. This specialisation is divided into three courses which are offered as massive online open access courses (Courses 1-3), and a fourth course which is offered as part of the Online MPH degree (capstone). The Health Systems Development specialisation is geared toward...

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16. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Health & Wellness

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Learn about holistic health, wellness, key biomarkers, good sleep and ways to optimize your health...

17. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health

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Around the world, we find ourselves facing global epidemics of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and other predominantly diet-related diseases. To address these public health crises, we urgently need to explore innovative strategies for promoting healthful eating. There is strong evidence that global increases in the consumption of heavily processed foods, coupled with cultural shifts away from the preparation of food in the home, have contributed to high rates of preventable, chronic disease. In this...

18. Global Health Policy

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In this course, learners will become familiar with principles and theories of global health problems, and major challenges and controversies in improving global population health as well as practical applications of quantitative methods to analyze and interpret issues and challenges for policy. Topics will include health and foreign policy, health governance, acute disease surveillance, non-communicable diseases, burden of disease, universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, health...

19. Vegan Nutrition Health Coach Certification

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20. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

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A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

Top 10 most affordable universities for environmental health sanitarians

The most affordable schools for environmental health sanitarians are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for environmental health sanitarians 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 health sanitarians.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for environmental health sanitarians

The hardest universities for environmental health sanitarians to get into are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for environmental health sanitarians 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 health sanitarians 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for environmental health sanitarians

The easiest schools for environmental health sanitarians to get into are Curry College, barry university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an environmental health sanitarian 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 health sanitarians.

1. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

9. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average environmental health sanitarian salary by education level

According to our data, environmental health sanitarians with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $61,018 annually. Environmental health sanitarians with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $51,269.
Environmental health sanitarian education levelEnvironmental health sanitarian salary
Master's Degree$61,018
High School Diploma or Less$44,690
Bachelor's Degree$51,269
Some College/ Associate Degree$50,235

Environmental health sanitarian 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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