Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

Find top-ranked online master’s in green technologies degree programs to equipped students to hold managerial and supervisory positions in the consulting, marketing, finance, engineering, government, nonprofit, and technology fields.

Top 10 Online Master's in Sustainability & Green Technologies Degrees

Sort by:
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Southern California
  3. Northeastern University
  4. University of Arizona
  5. University of Kentucky
  6. University of Vermont
  7. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  8. Michigan Technological University
  9. Clemson University
  10. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Southern California
  3. University of Arizona
  4. Pennsylvania State University
  5. Arizona State University
  6. University of Kentucky
  7. University of Vermont
  8. Northeastern University
  9. Clemson University
  10. University of Alabama at Birmingham
  1. Prescott College 98%
  2. University of Kentucky 95%
  3. Unity Environmental University 94%
  4. Michigan Technological University 94%
  5. Maharishi International University 93%
  6. University of North Carolina at Greensboro 92%
  7. Montclair State University 91%
  8. Arizona State University 90%
  9. University of Arizona 87%
  10. University of Alabama at Birmingham 87%
  1. Unity Environmental University 36 to 1
  2. Sam Houston State University 20 to 1
  3. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University 19 to 1
  4. Arizona State University 19 to 1
  5. University of Alabama at Birmingham 18 to 1
  6. University of Kentucky 17 to 1
  7. University of North Carolina at Greensboro 17 to 1
  8. University of Arizona 17 to 1
  9. University of Vermont 17 to 1
  10. Montclair State University 17 to 1
  1. University of Southern California $64,726
  2. Johns Hopkins University $60,480
  3. Northeastern University $60,192
  4. Lenoir–Rhyne University $43,000
  5. Lipscomb University $37,152
  6. Prescott College $35,450
  7. St. Mary's University, Texas $35,226
  8. Boston Architectural College $22,144
  9. Michigan Technological University $18,592
  10. Maharishi International University $16,530
  1. University of Southern California $63,468
  2. Johns Hopkins University $60,480
  3. Maharishi International University $29,000
  4. Northeastern University $26,715
  5. Boston Architectural College $25,220
  6. Michigan Technological University $23,607
  7. St. Mary's University, Texas $19,224
  8. Lipscomb University $17,370
  9. Prescott College $16,824
  10. Montclair State University $13,740
  1. Arizona State University
  2. University of South Florida Sarasota–Manatee
  3. Pennsylvania State University
  4. Maharishi International University
  5. Lenoir–Rhyne University
  6. Lipscomb University
  7. Unity Environmental University
  8. Prescott College
  9. St. Mary's University, Texas
  10. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
  1. Unity Environmental University
  2. University of South Florida Sarasota–Manatee
  3. Lenoir–Rhyne University
  4. Boston Architectural College
  5. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
  6. Prescott College
  7. Lipscomb University
  8. St. Mary's University, Texas
  9. Maharishi International University
  10. Sam Houston State University
  1. Johns Hopkins University 7%
  2. Northeastern University 7%
  3. University of Southern California 12%
  4. Clemson University 43%
  5. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University 58%
  6. University of Vermont 60%
  7. Lipscomb University 71%
  8. Lenoir–Rhyne University 83%
  9. Sam Houston State University 85%
  10. St. Mary's University, Texas 86%
  1. Boston Architectural College 5 to 1
  2. Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
  3. University of Southern California 9 to 1
  4. Prescott College 9 to 1
  5. Lenoir–Rhyne University 11 to 1
  6. St. Mary's University, Texas 11 to 1
  7. Lipscomb University 13 to 1
  8. Maharishi International University 13 to 1
  9. Michigan Technological University 13 to 1
  10. Northeastern University 16 to 1
  1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro $4,422
  2. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  3. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,832
  4. Arizona State University $10,978
  5. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University $11,185
  6. University of Arizona $11,210
  7. University of Kentucky $11,496
  8. Unity Environmental University $12,640
  9. Montclair State University $12,755
  10. Clemson University $14,118
  1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro $5,219
  2. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  3. University of Alabama at Birmingham $8,424
  4. Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University $9,276
  5. Unity Environmental University $9,750
  6. Clemson University $10,858
  7. Arizona State University $12,014
  8. University of Vermont $12,204
  9. Lenoir–Rhyne University $12,240
  10. University of Arizona $12,348

Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainability and Green Technology Degrees

With more and more industries moving toward environmentally friendly products and technologies, earning a master’s in green technologies could advance your career in the fast-growing renewable energy and sustainability sectors.

Back to Top

This graduate degree will immerse you in current environmental topics, such as sustainable construction, transportation and the environment, renewable energy engineering, energy policies, and sustainable product design. Many programs also have field-based learning, where students will gain hands-on knowledge related to their specialty.

Back to Top

Credit hours can vary for this graduate degree, ranging from 27 to 57. Programs are available both online and on campus. Many programs also have field-based learning, where students will gain hands-on knowledge related to their specialty.

Back to Top

After completing the program, graduates will be equipped to hold managerial and supervisory positions in the consulting, marketing, finance, engineering, government, nonprofit, and technology fields.

Back to Top

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s degree in earth sciences.

Best Online Master’s in Green Technologies Degree Programs

  1. #1

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    40K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/34

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Johns Hopkins University

    Cost of Degree: $62,962
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $77,452
    Salary after 4 years: $102,984
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in Sustainable Energy
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 21 months
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    12%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1500/33

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of Southern California

    Cost of Degree: $64,666
    Expenses: $20,338
    Starting Salary: $77,018
    Salary after 4 years: $102,407
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Green Technologies
    • Required Credits: 27
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/34

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Northeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $27,009
    Expenses: $21,230
    Starting Salary: $64,355
    Salary after 4 years: $85,570
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    Master’s in Energy Systems

    Certificate option:

    • Master’s Degree in Energy Systems with Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion time: 1.5-2 years
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1255/25

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of Arizona

    Cost of Degree: $14,015
    Expenses: $18,350
    Starting Salary: $51,902
    Salary after 4 years: $53,381
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MEng in Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    University of Kentucky

    Lexington , KY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    33K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/24

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of Kentucky

    Cost of Degree: $13,946
    Expenses: $20,206
    Starting Salary: $50,049
    Salary after 4 years: $51,474
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Applied Environmental & Sustainability Studies
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #6

    University of Vermont

    Burlington , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    16K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1345/30

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of Vermont

    Cost of Degree: $14,240
    Expenses: $17,079
    Starting Salary: $51,161
    Salary after 4 years: $52,618
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MLS in Leadership For Sustainability
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    64%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1305/26

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Cost of Degree: $8,424
    Expenses: $20,077
    Starting Salary: $44,859
    Salary after 4 years: $46,136
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MEd in Engineering

    Concentrations

    • Structural Engineering
    • Construction Engineering Management
    • Sustainable Smart Cities
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 19 months
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/27

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Michigan Technological University

    Cost of Degree: $23,867
    Expenses: $15,664
    Starting Salary: $61,912
    Salary after 4 years: $63,675
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Mechanical Engineering

    Concentrations

    • Design and Dynamic Systems
    • Autonomous Systems
    • Intelligent Systems
    • Noise
    • Vibration
    • Harshness
    • Alternative Fuels and Renewable Energy
    • Advanced Power Systems
    • Fluid Dynamics Including Cfd
    • Fuel Cells
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #9

    Clemson University

    Clemson , SC
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    43%

    Graduation

    85%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Clemson University

    Cost of Degree: $12,204
    Expenses: $19,192
    Starting Salary: $54,590
    Salary after 4 years: $56,145
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MPA in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Regional Sustainability
    • Emergency Management
    • Homeland Defense and Security
    • Local and State Government
    • Nonprofit Management
    • Required Credits: 39-42
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    21K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/24

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Cost of Degree: $8,295
    Expenses: $13,052
    Starting Salary: $37,907
    Salary after 4 years: $38,987
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MSSE in Sustainability & Environment
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 24 months
    • Format: Online
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Montclair State University

    Cost of Degree: $14,285
    Expenses: $19,580
    Starting Salary: $48,566
    Salary after 4 years: $49,949
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sustainability Science
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $22K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Boston Architectural College

    Cost of Degree: $26,220
    Starting Salary: $44,147
    Salary after 4 years: $58,700

    Online Degrees

    MDS in Sustainable Design
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online
  13. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    17%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/26

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

    Cost of Degree: $9,301
    Starting Salary: $60,973
    Salary after 4 years: $81,072

    Online Degrees

    MS in Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Unmanned Systems

    Concentrations

    • Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. #15

    St. Mary's University, Texas

    San Antonio , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at St. Mary's University, Texas

    Cost of Degree: $20,452
    Expenses: $15,948
    Starting Salary: $45,101
    Salary after 4 years: $59,968
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MA in International Relations

    Concentrations

    • Sustainable Development and Conflict Transformation
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: 2-3 years
    • Format: Online
  15. #16

    Prescott College

    Prescott , AZ
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Prescott College

    Cost of Degree: $17,319
    Expenses: $12,247
    Starting Salary: $29,749
    Salary after 4 years: $39,556
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MBA in Sustainability Leadership
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Resilient and Sustainable Communities
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Sustainable Food Systems
    • Required Credits: 36
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Sustainable Food Systems and Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 45
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #17

    Unity Environmental University

    New Gloucester , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Unity Environmental University

    Cost of Degree: $9,750
    Expenses: $13,884
    Starting Salary: $32,438
    Salary after 4 years: $43,131
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Urban Ecology and Sustainable Planning
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Environmental Studies and Sustainability
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MBA in Sustainable Business Management
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Lenoir–Rhyne University

    Cost of Degree: $12,240
    Expenses: $17,510
    Starting Salary: $37,815
    Salary after 4 years: $50,281
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Sustainability Studies
    • Required Credits: 33
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  18. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Maharishi International University

    Cost of Degree: $29,530
    Expenses: $12,200
    Starting Salary: $26,367
    Salary after 4 years: $35,058
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Sustainable Business
    • Required Credits: 58
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    MS in Sustainability Measurement and Reporting
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    85K

    Career Outlook for Sustainability degree at Arizona State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,914
    Expenses: $19,509
    Starting Salary: $51,439
    Salary after 4 years: $52,904
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    MS in Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion time: 2 years
    • Format: Online

Career Outlook for Students with Sustainability Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Sustainability Studies

Degree Level: Master's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $53,465
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $54,988
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers4.87%$122,066
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary3.80%$83,117
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other1.92%$82,652
Urban and Regional Planners3.80%$74,441
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health5.96%$72,302

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
$49,162$76,539$119,342

Promising Job Markets

StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
#2 Michigan15% higher than average$79,183
#3 Virginia5% higher than average$82,955
#4 New York5% higher than average$90,461
#5 North Carolina11% higher than average$76,448
#6 Georgia13% higher than average$74,819

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Natural Sciences Managers$122,066
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary$83,117
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$82,652
Back to Top

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.

And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.

While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here