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Water pollution scientist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a water pollution scientist. Water pollution scientists usually study environmental science, geology, or environmental engineering. 87% of water pollution scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 4% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 28 real water pollution scientist resumes to see exactly what water pollution scientist education sections show.

The most common colleges for water pollution scientists are the Syracuse University and the Syracuse University.

There are also many online water pollution scientist courses to help get the education required to be a water pollution scientist.

What education do you need to become a water pollution scientist?

What degree do you need to be a water pollution scientist?

The most common degree for water pollution scientists is bachelor's degree, with 87% of water pollution scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 4% and doctoral degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 87%
  • Doctorate, 4%
  • Master's, 4%
  • Associate, 4%

What should I major in to become a water pollution scientist?

You should major in environmental science to become a water pollution scientist. 25% of water pollution scientists major in environmental science. Other common majors for a water pollution scientist include geology and environmental engineering.

Most common colleges for water pollution scientists

Water pollution scientists often get their degrees at Syracuse University, Allegheny College, and University of Maryland - Baltimore County. Here are the most common colleges for water pollution scientists in the US based on their resumes.
Water pollution scientist common collegePercentages
Syracuse University12.50%
Allegheny College6.25%
University of Maryland - Baltimore County6.25%
Southern Oregon University6.25%
Colorado State University6.25%

Best majors for water pollution scientists

Best colleges for water pollution scientists

The best colleges for water pollution scientists are Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A water pollution scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for water pollution scientists. 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 water pollution scientists.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

3. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

7. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

8. Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH • Private

In-state tuition

$55,453

Enrollment

4,312

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for water pollution scientists

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1. 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...

2. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern

coursera

What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...

3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners

udemy
4.7
(269)

Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...

4. Water Treatment Process Design

udemy
4.4
(396)

design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...

5. Education on climate change: water and soil

coursera

This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...

6. Air Pollution – a Global Threat to our Health

coursera

We all have to breathe to live. But the air we breathe is polluted both outdoors and indoors. Each year, this pollution costs 7 million lives across the globe – and a lot of suffering. 1 in 8 deaths is due to air pollution. This course will provide you with an introduction to the most recent research in the field of health effects of air pollution as well as a broader understanding of sources and spread of air pollution and what we should do about it. What is air pollution? What are the...

7. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling

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4.5
(892)

The mechanical cooling systems that support data centers and the internet...

8. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS

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4.4
(1,989)

Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...

9. Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health

coursera

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,...

10. Planning for Climate Change in African Cities

coursera

Climate change poses a threat to economic growth and long-term prosperity of many countries around the world. Africa is not an exception, considering the actual and potential impacts of climate change and climate variability that will threaten its vulnerable sectors and human populations. African countries are projected to experience changing rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, and higher temperatures that will affect food security, agricultural production, water availability, and public...

11. Data Warehouse Development Process

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4.3
(790)

Specific aspects of Data Warehouse Development Process...

12. Practical SQL Bootcamp for Data Analysts and Data Scientists

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4.6
(1,147)

Master One of the Most In-Demand Skills for Data Analysts in 2020!...

13. Total Data Quality

coursera

This specialization aims to explore the Total Data Quality framework in depth and provide learners with more information about the detailed evaluation of total data quality that needs to happen prior to data analysis. The goal is for learners to incorporate evaluations of data quality into their process as a critical component for all projects. We sincerely hope to disseminate knowledge about total data quality to all learners, such as data scientists and quantitative analysts, who have not had...

14. The Data Scientist’s Toolbox

coursera

In this course you will get an introduction to the main tools and ideas in the data scientist's toolbox. The course gives an overview of the data, questions, and tools that data analysts and data scientists work with. There are two components to this course. The first is a conceptual introduction to the ideas behind turning data into actionable knowledge. The second is a practical introduction to the tools that will be used in the program like version control, markdown, git, GitHub, R, and...

15. Data Center Infrastructure Design - An Introduction

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4.5
(292)

An overview of data center infrastructure design from a structured cabling system designer's perspective...

16. Essential Non Technical Skills of Effective Data Scientists

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4.4
(1,019)

Boost your Data Science Career by developing these crucial Non Technical Skills & become a Successful Data Scientist...

17. Der Werkzeugkasten des Data Scientist

coursera

In this course you will get an introduction to the main tools and ideas in the data scientist's toolbox. The course gives an overview of the data, questions, and tools that data analysts and data scientists work with. There are two components to this course. The first is a conceptual introduction to the ideas behind turning data into actionable knowledge. The second is a practical introduction to the tools that will be used in the program like version control, markdown, git, GitHub, R, and...

18. Data Quality Fundamentals

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4.2
(557)

Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...

19. Introduction to Machine Learning for Data Science

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4.6
(13,692)

A primer on Machine Learning for Data Science. Revealed for everyday people, by the Backyard Data Scientist...

20. The Google Earth Engine Mega Course: Remote Sensing & GIS

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4.2
(404)

Become a Google Earth Engine expert just in one course. Remote Sensing, GIS, Java Script, Machine Learning...

Top 10 most affordable universities for water pollution scientists

The most affordable schools for water pollution scientists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for water pollution scientists 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 water pollution scientists.

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 - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

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 - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

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 water pollution scientists

The hardest universities for water pollution scientists to get into are Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for water pollution scientists 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 water pollution scientists 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

6. Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,488

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for water pollution scientists

The easiest schools for water pollution scientists to get into are D'Youville College, university of the incarnate word, and san francisco state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a water pollution scientist 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 water pollution scientists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

4. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

6. University of Houston - Downtown

Houston, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,012

7. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

Average water pollution scientist salary by education level

According to our data, water pollution scientists with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $102,017 annually. Water pollution scientists with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $91,721.
Water pollution scientist education levelWater pollution scientist salary
Master's Degree$102,017
Bachelor's Degree$91,721

Water pollution scientist 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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