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Senior sustainability advisor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior sustainability advisor. Senior sustainability advisors usually study environmental science, architecture, or business. 57% of senior sustainability advisors hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 49 real senior sustainability advisor resumes to see exactly what senior sustainability advisor education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior sustainability advisors are the Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma State University.

There are also many online senior sustainability advisor courses to help get the education required to be a senior sustainability advisor.

What education do you need to become a senior sustainability advisor?

What degree do you need to be a senior sustainability advisor?

The most common degree for senior sustainability advisors is bachelor's degree, with 57% of senior sustainability advisors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 31% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Master's, 31%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • High School Diploma, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a senior sustainability advisor?

You should major in environmental science to become a senior sustainability advisor. 18% of senior sustainability advisors major in environmental science. Other common majors for a senior sustainability advisor include architecture and business.

Most common colleges for senior sustainability advisors

Senior sustainability advisors often get their degrees at Oklahoma State University, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and University of Washington. Here are the most common colleges for senior sustainability advisors in the US based on their resumes.
Senior sustainability advisor common collegePercentages
Oklahoma State University9.52%
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona4.76%
University of Washington4.76%
University of South Carolina - Columbia4.76%
Fordham University4.76%

Best majors for senior sustainability advisors

Best colleges for senior sustainability advisors

The best colleges for senior sustainability advisors are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A senior sustainability advisor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior sustainability advisors. 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 senior sustainability advisors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

10. Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$11,105

Enrollment

13,729

20 best online courses for senior sustainability advisors

Advertising disclosure

1. Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals

coursera

Extreme weather events, wars, famine and environmental destruction are just a few of the wicked problems faced by humanity. That’s why in 2015 the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that target the big challenges such as how to eliminate poverty, how to protect the environment and how to bring about peace. Every member state committed to achieving these goals by 2030. What can businesses do to counter...

2. The Sustainability Imperative

coursera

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...

3. Sustainability Management in Business

udemy
4.3
(371)

Everything you need to know about creating sustainable value, ESG and building business resilience...

4. Sustainability Reporting with GRI Standards

udemy
4.3
(694)

GRI Sustainability Reporting - Understanding the Standards...

5. Sustainable Urban Water Systems

coursera

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...

6. Sustainable Business Enterprises

coursera

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,...

7. ESG and Sustainable Investing 365

udemy
4.3
(816)

Foundational Course on ESG and Sustainable Finance Anchored in CFA Institute's research...

8. How to Start a Business Sustainably Complete Guide

udemy
4.5
(865)

Join me in this masterclass as I take your sustainable business idea from seedling to pitch-ready in under 6 hours!...

9. Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities

coursera

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...

10. Sustainable Cities

coursera

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...

11. Fundamentals of Intelligent Sustainable Business

udemy
4.4
(2,208)

A 100-year guide for growing sustainable business...

12. ESG, Sustainability consulting Career & Growth opportunities

udemy
4.1
(481)

Adding ESG / Sustainability Consulting to your services portfolio? Learn few tips and ideas from the CEO of an ESG firm...

13. Sustainable Vikings: Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility in Scandinavia

coursera

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...

14. Sustainability Analyst Fundamentals

coursera

The ASU Sustainability specialization introduces the role of a sustainability analyst, assesses sustainability challenges that face the planet and employers, and equips learners with the foundational skills needed to address these challenges. By developing competency in goal-setting, reporting and data analysis, learners who complete the specialization will be able to make an impact on their organization as a sustainability analyst.\n\nThis specialization is designed to build on the...

15. Basics of Sustainability: Learn in Simple Language

udemy
4.3
(1,547)

Sustainability is not just good to know, it's a must to know in this 21st century...

16. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry

udemy
4.7
(312)

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

17. Public Health Perspectives on Sustainable Diets

coursera

What we eat and how we produce that food have significant effects on human health and the sustainability of our planet. But what is a ‘sustainable’ diet? A sustainable diet, as defined by the FAO, promotes health and well-being and provides food security for the present population while sustaining human and natural resources for future generations. This short course looks at the urgent need to address the sustainability of our food systems, including better understanding the complex...

18. Business Sustainability in the Circular Economy

coursera

We are surrounded by so much discussion of sustainability that it can sometimes become overwhelming. Important questions include: What role can business have in ensuring the sustainability of the planet? How should business work with society to preserve the environment? These questions will be answered in this course as we explore the meaning of sustainability and its impact on modern organisations as they move to circular ideas to reduce waste, increase recycling and become fit for our modern...

19. Climate change education: sustainable environments

coursera

In this course, we explore the components of landscapes and natural disasters. We emphasize human actions that impact the environment, both in terms of modification and preservation. Additionally, we explore concepts related to cities, megacities, and sustainable environments. The course also delves into the connection between the environment, health, and diseases."...

20. Climate Change, Sustainability, and Global Public Health

coursera

The third course of the Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health specialization will introduce you to two major environmental health challenges facing the world today. The first is climate change –the preeminent threat to public health today, and a threat that will impact every human and ecosystem on the planet. We will evaluate the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as policies and approaches that can be used to reduce the impacts of climate change on human health. The...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior sustainability advisors

The most affordable schools for senior sustainability advisors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for senior sustainability advisors 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 senior sustainability advisors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior sustainability advisors

The hardest universities for senior sustainability advisors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for senior sustainability advisors 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 senior sustainability advisors 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

8. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior sustainability advisors

The easiest schools for senior sustainability advisors to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior sustainability advisor 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 senior sustainability advisors.

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. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

7. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. Our Lady of the Lake University

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,002

Average senior sustainability advisor salary by education level

Senior sustainability advisors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $126,189 annually. With a Master's degree, senior sustainability advisors earn a median annual income of $123,378 compared to $108,809 for senior sustainability advisors with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior sustainability advisor education levelSenior sustainability advisor salary
Master's Degree$123,378
Bachelor's Degree$108,809
Doctorate Degree$126,189
Some College/ Associate Degree$90,618

Senior sustainability advisor 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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