Is a Master's in Sustainability Worth It?

You’re passionate about environmental activism and stopping climate change. You want to right environmental justice wrongs. You believe in sustainable development as the only way to ensure our planet is habitable for the next generation. And you don’t just want a job: you want a job with purpose.

If that’s you, you may be wondering: Do I need a master’s degree to move into sustainability or step into a leadership role? And — more importantly — is it worth it?

Entry-level work is available with a bachelor’s degree and some experience; you can get started working in environmental or climate policy, green business, or sustainability education. But if you are looking for a career and a leadership role, then a master's degree can be a good investment.

Key Takeaways

A master’s in sustainability can open doors to leadership and higher-paying roles.
Graduate training provides specialized skills, real-world experience, and career support.
Demand for sustainability professionals is growing across policy, business, and climate strategy.
A master’s degree often leads to stronger job placement and long-term career growth.
For mission-driven professionals, a sustainability master’s is often a worthwhile investment.

What is a master's in sustainability?

A master's degree in sustainability can take many forms: Master of Arts, Master of Science, MBA, and Master of Education.
A good starting point is with your own theory of change:
Do you want to change minds through education?
Change the rules through politics and policy?
Or change the game, through business?

Once you know your direction, this narrows down your search.

Sustainability as a master's field of study really launched in the early 2000s, along with the sustainability revolution in business. Today, as governments at all levels pass climate laws, corporations seek ways to deliver on net-zero and circularity commitments. Both consumers and employees are increasingly expecting climate action from businesses, and employment in green fields is skyrocketing. This has led to a boom in sustainability programs.

Because sustainability careers are growing fast, there is a lot of opportunity coming out of these programs. One recent student, Emma, a school teacher, came to Bard's #1 Green MBA to learn about impact finance. Four years later she has recently become a VP for Climate Transition Financing at a major international bank.

Is a degree in sustainability worth it today?

A master's in sustainability, like those offered by Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability, requires an investment of time, energy, and money. How would you measure the worth? As sustainability has become more established as an area of expertise, increasingly a master's degree is needed to support career development and the higher salaries that come with leadership positions.

Career growth correlates with impact. There is a lot of work to do, and we need people like you trained to be as effective as possible as soon as possible, tackling issues like climate change, water pollution, gender equity, and affordable housing.

Perhaps the biggest payoff of attending one of the best sustainable development master's programs is peer learning and growing your network. Half of what you learn in graduate school comes from interacting with fellow students on the same journey. Spending two or three years in close company with leading sustainability faculty and professionals, and students with the same passion that you share, is both fun and rewarding. It pushes you to be ambitious, and the connections you make support your work for a lifetime.

Bard's Sustainability MBA Outcomes & ROI

The MBA in Sustainability by the numbers:

Of the students entering the MBA program, 72% started the program making less than $70k
After earning their MBA, 98% reported making more than $70k
- 37% of alumni make between $70k and $99k
- 30% of alumni make between $100k and $129k
- 31% of alumni make more than $130k
The average salary increase post-MBA is $50k
86% of alumni reported an increase in job fulfillment
Job placement rates
- 60% had a job within 3 months of graduating
- 71% had a job within 6 months of graduating
79% of alumni achieved the career goal they set for earning their MBA

Bard's MS programs in Environmental Policy and Climate Science and Policy Outcomes & ROI

The programs in the Center for Environmental Policy by the numbers:

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How to get into a sustainability career — and why a degree is important

Laura Gitman, a well-known sustainability consultant, says that today she would not have hired the person she was when she first got into the industry 20 years ago. Back then, knowing about consulting—plus being mission-oriented—was good enough. But now, Laura looks for people with deep subject matter expertise in both sustainability and industry focus, the knowledge that's often only gained through sustainability master's programs.

Good graduate sustainability programs deliver three things it's hard to get elsewhere:

specific knowledge and skills
real-world experience with leading practitioners and brands to build your resume
career development

These are key factors that translate into success in the job market.

Advancing in whichever branch of the industry you are interested in requires a solid career strategy and network. The best sustainability master's programs will provide this.

From business to policy to education, sustainability jobs are the jobs of the future. Twenty years ago, sustainability jobs did not exist. Five years ago, the position of Chief Sustainability Officer appeared. Our favorite recent job title from one of our sustainability master's graduates is “Designer of Circular Acumen and Capability” on the responsible design team of a major retailer. What’s next? Maybe the position of Chief Circularity Officer is coming? It could have your name on it.

The impact you'll make with a master's degree in sustainability

The scarcest resource on the planet is you: someone awake to the extraordinary moment in which we are living, who wants to put their skills and talents to work building a better future. The good news is that you don’t need a master's degree to get started. But if you do want to make this your life’s work, then a master’s in sustainability can launch you on a strong start. Put simply: the world can’t wait.

So, is a master's in sustainability worth it?

For aspiring sustainability leaders, yes—and especially the master's degrees offered at Bard College. Bard's Graduate Programs in Sustainability offer master's degrees in sustainability for graduates who want to:

change minds—the Master's in Environmental Education
change the rules—the Master's in Environmental Policy or the Master's in Climate Science
change the game—the MBA in Sustainability

Bard's MBA has been ranked the #1 Green MBA,and #1 among all MBAs for Impact by Corporate Knights.

With a focus on resume-building experiential education,– extended professional internships in sustainability, and high-level consulting opportunities,– Bard’s graduate programs combine rigorous academic training with a powerful career-advising process that accelerates your sustainability journey toward impact-driven work.

Frequently Asked Questions about a master’s in sustainability

1. What can you do with a master’s in sustainability?

A master’s in sustainability prepares you for careers in climate policy, environmental consulting, ESG strategy, sustainable business, impact finance, education, and nonprofit leadership. Graduates work as sustainability managers, policy analysts, corporate responsibility specialists, and consultants.

2. Is a master’s in sustainability worth it for salary and career growth?

For many professionals, yes. Sustainability roles, especially in policy, corporate sustainability, consulting, and renewable energy, often require graduate-level expertise. A master’s degree can lead to higher salaries, leadership positions, and stronger long-term earning potential.

3. Do you need a sustainability degree to work in climate or environmental fields?

Not always, but it can accelerate your path. Entry-level sustainability jobs may be accessible with a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s is increasingly expected for roles involving strategy, policy, research, or organizational leadership.

4. What’s the difference between sustainability master’s programs (MS, MA, MBA, M.Ed.)?

The best degree depends on your career goals:

MS/MA in Sustainability or Environmental Policy → policy, research, analysis
MBA in Sustainability → sustainable business leadership, ESG, impact finance
M.Ed. in Environmental Education → education, outreach, curriculum development

5. How do I choose the right sustainability master’s program?

Consider your goals, focus area (policy, business, science, education), the program’s experiential learning opportunities, job placement support, internship structure, and the strength of its sustainability network. Look for programs that offer hands-on experience and a clear path to career outcomes in the sustainability field.

Lead the Change