It isn't news that New Hampshire is one of the smallest states, but folks from outside are often surprised just how big and fierce our appreciation for nature can be. We're a state blessed with natural resources, and we've always been determined to protect them.
You'll find the shortest coastline of any American state here, but that just makes what we have that much more beloved and precious. Abundant freshwater lakes and forest inland make up for the lack of Atlantic shoreline. And the White Mountains serve up backcountry hiking and skiing that make us the envy of the Northeast.
Unfortunately, much of this fabulous natural environment is under threat. By the end of the century, the number of freezing days in North Conway are expected to decline by almost half (in the most optimistic scenario), making those great ski slopes into barren patches of rock for much of the year. And our amazing lakes and rivers are experiencing pollution levels that far exceed what would normally be expected in such a small state.
These are all issues that require creative, highly trained scientists to cope with. If you play your cards right, you can become one of those scientists with a degree from New Hampshire's excellent schools and line up a job right here at home.
What Can I Do with an Environmental Science Degree in New Hampshire
Most environmental science employment in New Hampshire is either commercial or academic in nature. We have branches of big environmental engineering and consulting firms like Golder and Stance here who are always in the market for environmental expertise. Likewise, many of the universities you'll find listed below are in need of researchers, lecturers, and field and lab technicians for ongoing projects and education.
Despite the limited market, environmental scientists in the state can do fairly well for themselves salary-wise by virtue of our location in the northeastern corridor job market. Conservation scientists average $73,410 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other environmental scientists make around $71,000, while specialists in geoscience can expect $88,660 or more per year.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Conservation Scientists, and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers reflect state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.
Master's in Environmental Science in New Hampshire
If you're going to earn an advanced degree that will put you at the top of your profession in environmental science, then you might as well go all-in and get that degree from one of the top colleges in the country. In New Hampshire, that makes our beloved entry into the Ivy League, Dartmouth, an easy choice. The school's Ecology, Evolution, Ecosystems and Society program is a new vision for scholarship and service in the environmental realm, one that combines traditional scientific knowledge and exploration with innovative approaches to interdisciplinary leadership in environmental studies.
But Dartmouth is hardly your only choice for a quality environmental science education. Other private schools, such as Antioch University, may be easier to get into but equally capable of giving you the education you're after. With master's degrees in environmental studies and resource management with concentrations available in unique areas like advocacy for social justice and sustainability, you'll have an easy time customizing your degree plan for your personal interests and career focus.
Bachelor's in Environmental Science in New Hampshire
Before you move on to a master's degree, though, you're going to need a bachelor's degree that sets you up for those advanced studies. You're in luck in New Hampshire; we definitely punch above our weight when it comes to both public and private schools delivering innovative, in-depth environmental science degrees.
One of those is Plymouth State University. PSU has a BS degree in environmental science and policy that goes past the lab to introduce students to both the physical and social aspects of environmental issues. With a curriculum that stresses both pragmatic and creative approaches to dealing with environmental problems, you'll learn how to diagnose and fix issues at the science and policy levels.
Another unique option exists at Franklin Pierce University. The school offers bachelor of science degrees in both environmental science and environmental studies. You can take them as stand-alone programs, or, in an innovative partnership with Antioch, use them in conjunction with that school's master's in environmental studies or resource management and conservation to combine into a five-year accelerated bachelor-to-master's program.
Online Environmental Science Degree Options from Schools in New Hampshire
Online degrees are becoming the hot new thing in just about every field of study, but it can be surprisingly difficult to find good online options in environmental science. You're lucky you live in New Hampshire, because Southern New Hampshire University has one of the few, and finest, online bachelor of science degrees in the country.
The program comes with the option to pursue a straight general BS in the field or to branch into concentrations in either natural resources and conservation or geospatial technologies… both areas that are in high demand in New Hampshire and elsewhere. By delivering the skills and insights that employers want to see through a flexible curriculum that allows you to tackle course content from any location, SNHU offers up the perfect education, whether you're a professional looking to expand your credentials or a new high school graduate trying to get a foot in the door.
