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Sustainable design consultant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a sustainable design consultant. Sustainable design consultants usually study architecture, fine arts, or urban planning. 70% of sustainable design consultants hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 30 real sustainable design consultant resumes to see exactly what sustainable design consultant education sections show.

The most common colleges for sustainable design consultants are the University of Central Missouri and the University of Central Missouri.

There are also many online sustainable design consultant courses to help get the education required to be a sustainable design consultant.

What education do you need to become a sustainable design consultant?

What degree do you need to be a sustainable design consultant?

The most common degree for sustainable design consultants is bachelor's degree, with 70% of sustainable design consultants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 26% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 70%
  • Master's, 26%
  • Associate, 4%

What should I major in to become a sustainable design consultant?

You should major in architecture to become a sustainable design consultant. 26% of sustainable design consultants major in architecture. Other common majors for a sustainable design consultant include fine arts and urban planning.

Most common colleges for sustainable design consultants

Sustainable design consultants often get their degrees at University of Central Missouri, Boston Architectural College, and University of Houston. Here are the most common colleges for sustainable design consultants in the US based on their resumes.
Sustainable design consultant common collegePercentages
University of Central Missouri5.88%
Boston Architectural College5.88%
University of Houston5.88%
Washington University in St Louis5.88%
Sam Houston State University5.88%

Best majors for sustainable design consultants

RankMajorPercentages
1Architecture26.1%
2Fine Arts8.7%
3Urban Planning8.7%
4Sustainability8.7%
5Engineering Science4.3%

Best colleges for sustainable design consultants

The best colleges for sustainable design consultants are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.

A sustainable design consultant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for sustainable design consultants. 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 sustainable design consultants.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

8. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

20 best online courses for sustainable design consultants

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1. Sustainable Business Enterprises

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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,...

2. Careers in Sustainability

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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...

3. ESG, Sustainability consulting Career & Growth opportunities

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

4. Sustainability Reporting with GRI Standards

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4.3
(694)

GRI Sustainability Reporting - Understanding the Standards...

5. 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."...

6. 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...

7. ESG and Sustainable Investing 365

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

8. Basics of Sustainability: Learn in Simple Language

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4.3
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Sustainability is not just good to know, it's a must to know in this 21st century...

9. The Sustainability Imperative

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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...

10. Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building

coursera

In the Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building specialization, you learn about healthier building materials, exploring subjects ranging from classification of toxic chemicals to new green innovations. You start by investigating the intersection of building materials and human health. Then, you learn how chemistry and toxicology affect the built world. Next, you examine design specifications from a healthier materials perspective. Finally, you employ cutting-edge practices to execute a...

11. Use Eco-friendly, Sustainable Design to Improve your Life

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4.4
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Save Money and Live Healthier through Eco-Friendly Interior Design...

12. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry

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4.7
(312)

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

13. 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...

14. Managing Responsibly: Practicing Sustainability, Responsibility and Ethics

coursera

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...

15. Sustainability Management in Business

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4.3
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Everything you need to know about creating sustainable value, ESG and building business resilience...

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

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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...

17. Sustainable Cities

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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...

18. Cities and Consumption: Urban Sustainability and the Sharing Economy

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How can we govern consumption and the sharing economy in our cities? This course explores cities, consumption and the sharing economy in Europe and around the world. We connect together the key themes of the sharing economy, cities, governance, consumption and urban sustainability. We explore how the sharing economy can contribute to increasing social, environmental and economic sustainability. And we argue that it is imperative that the sharing economy is shaped and designed to advance urban...

19. 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...

20. 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...

Top 10 most affordable universities for sustainable design consultants

The most affordable schools for sustainable design consultants are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for sustainable design consultants 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 sustainable design consultants.

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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

8. 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

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sustainable design consultants

The hardest universities for sustainable design consultants to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, University of Pennsylvania, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for sustainable design consultants 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 sustainable design consultants 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. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

9. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sustainable design consultants

The easiest schools for sustainable design consultants to get into are Barry University, university of the incarnate word, and kean university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sustainable design consultant 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 sustainable design consultants.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

4. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

5. California University of Pennsylvania

California, PA • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,007

6. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

7. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,072

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average sustainable design consultant salary by education level

According to our data, sustainable design consultants with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,390 annually. Sustainable design consultants with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $64,051.
Sustainable design consultant education levelSustainable design consultant salary
Master's Degree$64,051
Bachelor's Degree$58,076
Doctorate Degree$65,390
Some College/ Associate Degree$50,333

Sustainable design consultant 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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