Environmental Economics & Policy

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

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What is Environmental Economics & Policy?

This is a concentration within Agricultural and Consumer Economics. This major will prepare you to handle environmental and resource management issues. Classes range from international business and economic development to computer science and mathematics. In classes, you'll focus on:

Law
Policy
Management
Administration
Quantitative methods
Sociology
Economics

You’ll research topics like groundwater contamination, environmental damage, and recycling. You’ll intern in places like Washington, D.C., or at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. You can apply directly into this concentration.

Career Options

Conservation land management
Environmental protection
Forest production
Government
Mining
Recycling
Transportation
Waste disposal

Post-Graduation Success¹

92% employed or continuing education

68% employed after graduation

24% attending graduate school

$57,258 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) (4), John Deere (3), PepsiCo (3) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Springfield, DePaul University View All

Program Resources

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

Calculus preferred (if available at high school)
Strong social science and business-related coursework and performance
Experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention²

3.8 years to degree

95% first-year retention rate

76% four-year graduation rate

83% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs³

Illinois Resident

Tuition: $14,882
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,558
Total: $39,622

Non-Resident

Tuition: $37,558
Fees: $5,182
Expenses:$19,898
Total: $62,638

International

Tuition: $38,600
Fees: $5,182
Expenses: $19,898
Total: $63,680

Policy, International Trade & Development - ACES

Public Policy & Law - ACES

Urban Studies and Planning - FAA

¹ Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer.

² Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

³ "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.