Overview

The Environmental Design programme at the University of Colorado at Boulder provides students with the essential knowledge required to design and create the built environment. This undergraduate degree focuses on developing creative, critical, and convergent thinking skills to address complex social and environmental issues through iterative design processes.

Why Environmental Design at University of Colorado at Boulder?

The university is home to the most popular environmental design department in the United States, offering students access to 15,000 square feet of creative maker space. Learners benefit from the expertise of ten licensed design professionals on staff, ensuring that the curriculum remains grounded in professional practice. As a top-ranked green college, the institution provides an ideal environment for those dedicated to sustainability and ecological restoration.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 48724 per year
National fee: USD 46736 per year
Local fee: USD 16574 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

To earn this degree, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. The curriculum begins with a one-and-a-half-year core sequence that introduces various design disciplines before students select a specific major of focus. Modules may include:

Architecture
Environmental Products of Design
Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Planning
Urban Design
Structural Systems
Modern Technologies
Ecological Systems
Transportation Planning

Careers with Environmental Design

Graduates are prepared for diverse professional paths within the design and planning sectors. The programme equips students with the specialised skills necessary to meet the evolving needs of modern society across various industries. Potential career roles include:

Environmental Designer
Architect
Urban Designer
Environmental Planner
City Planner
Landscape Architect
Product Designer

Graduates often find employment within local, state, and federal resource agencies. Opportunities also exist in natural resource management, conservation, the private business sector, and various non-profit organisations dedicated to community development and environmental advocacy.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Writing in Arts and Sciences

First Year Writing for Environmental Design

First-Year Writing in Energy, Environment and Sustainability

Environmental Design

Extended First-Year Writing and Rhetoric

First-Year Writing and Rhetoric

Social Statistics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-20 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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120

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boulder, United States

Disciplines

Environmental Engineering View 218 other Bachelors in Environmental Engineering in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Application

Application fee ($65 for domestic applicants, $70 for international applicants

Personal Essay (required, 250–650 words)

Letter of recommendation

High school or secondary school transcripts

In addition to the general admission requirements, all international applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

48724 USD / year

≈ 48724 USD / year
Out-of-State

46736 USD / year

≈ 46736 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

16574 USD / year

≈ 16574 USD / year

Living costs

Boulder

United States

950 - 1350 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Environmental Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boulder

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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