Nature's beauty is on full display in Oregon, offering nature lovers like you a front row seat to what is arguably the most divine landscapes in the country.
Pristine lakes so still they seem to turn into glass right before your eyes…snow-capped mountains so picturesque they might as well be works of art…and a coastline so impossibly spectacular it captivates all who have the pleasure of walking its sandy shores are just some of Oregon's natural resources that inspire a love of the environment.
Your love of Oregon's environment, combined with a solid, post-secondary education, can translate into a fulfilling career in environmental science. If you have aspirations of studying Oregon's land, air, and water to ensure the preservation of this state's remarkable resources, an environmental science degree will serve as your foundation and allow you to land a job or advance a career in the private, nonprofit, or governmental sectors.
What Can I Do with an Environmental Science Degree in Oregon
The biggest name in environmental research in Oregon is the Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center, whose research efforts include everything from climate change to recycling to renewable energy sources.
In terms of regulation here, its Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality that leads the charge, overseeing programs related to air quality, water management, environmental cleanup, groundwater protection, and more.
Oregon is also home to a variety of environmental conservation groups like the Audubon Society of Portland, the Northwest Earth Institute, SOLVE Oregon, and the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club. EarthShare Oregon is one of the big players, working alongside nonprofits to achieve environmental goals, raise money, and educate the public.
While a number of factors will affect your salary potential as an environmental scientist in Oregon, including your educational level, your experience, and the sector in which you work, the BLS reported solid salary averages for environmental scientists in 2020. For example, environmental scientists and specialists here earned an annual, average salary of $82,520 during this time.
Other scientists in this field also earned comparable salaries. For example, biological scientists earned $77,990, conservation scientists earned $79,420, and foresters earned $71,830.
2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for the professions listed reflect state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2021.
Master's in Environmental Science in Oregon
An environmental science master's program is befitting of Oregon State University, which has long been home to programs related to the environment. The MS in Environmental Sciences, which continues this legacy of environmental education, is a solid program that can be customized through your choice of concentration in areas like biochemistry, ecology, quantitative analysis, climate change, and water resources. This university is also home to a Professional Science Master's in Environmental Sciences, a robust program designed specifically for early- to mid-career professionals who want to take their careers to the next level.
The other big name in post-secondary education in Oregon, the University of Oregon, also offers an advanced education in environmental science through their MA/MS in Environmental Studies, home to outstanding, environmental-related research centers like the Institute for Ecology and Evolution, the Ecological Design Center, the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, and the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.
Bachelor's in Environmental Science in Oregon
You've got to walk before you can run, and Oregon's undergraduate offerings in environmental science are the perfect foundation for getting your career off the ground.
Both Oregon State and the University of Oregon offer top-notch bachelor's degrees in environmental science, as does Oregon Tech, whose BS in Environmental Sciences provides superb opportunities for experiential learning at the university's on-campus study sites like the Native Garden - a joint effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Another top contender in undergraduate education in Oregon is Pacific University, who's BS in Environmental Science comes with the option to specialize in either Environmental Biology or Chemistry & Toxicology.
Online Environmental Science Degree Options from Schools in Oregon
Distance-based programs in environmental science are becoming more commonplace as colleges and universities are recognizing and accommodating the needs of adult learners and those with geographical challenges. Often delivered in a partially or fully online format, these programs allow students to achieve their educational goals from the comfort of their homes.
It's no surprise that Oregon State offers a variety of these distance-based programs, both for undergrads and grads. Their online MS in Environmental Sciences offers a fully online delivery, a choice of seven tracks, and four start dates per year for the best in flexibility.
Their BS in Environmental Sciences is also available fully online and is also customizable through your choice of seven specializations like environmental agriculture, applied ecology, earth systems, and aquatic biology.
