I am looking for schools with great programs that might not be obvious when browsing, whether because of an oddly named degree program or smaller enrollment, as well as the ones that do show up. Any information would be helpful. A net price lower than $30,000 would be preferable. My stats are good, with a 33 ACT, 4.2 GPA, 1 sport, key club, community service, etc. Ideally placed schools would be Mid-Atlantic, but I am looking at some outside of this area. Notables include George Mason University, Duquesne University, and Penn State. Thanks!
Hamilton offers an environmental studies major, an uncommon term-length program in the Adirondacks, cool courses such as Religion in the Wild and notably strong geosciences (should geosciences be an associated interest of yours). For middle-income families (generously defined), Hamilton’s net cost will typically fall under $30,000. Your ACT score places you within their middle range (31-33).
Out-of-area options can range from Pomona to Colorado College to Colby.
I would add St.Lawrence where you would have a shot at a big merit package. It is located between the St. Lawrence River and the Adirondacks.
Bates, Middlebury and Colby all have great programs and access to some interesting areas.
^ there are some great ideas! My D applied to all three 
Duke & Midd, for sure.
If you are looking for something science-y, do check major requirements and course offerings carefully. Some programs are less science focused and lean more towards environmental studies and environmental policy than environmental science.
In addition to St. Lawrence already mentioned, you’d also get some decent merit aid from University of Vermont which has a well recognized program.
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is an odd hybrid-not well known but may be interesting to you. Tuition is listed as 7,770 instate and 17,620 out of state. The school itself is situated adjacent to Syracuse University and students have full use of SU in all ways, So while ESF enrolls only 1856 students, all of SU is available to those students. The graduation ceremonies and most other things are joint efforts. As stated in US News “The two institutions, both located in Syracuse, New York, have a collegiate partnership. ESF students can enroll in courses, live in residence halls, use campus facilities and join student organizations at Syracuse University. ESF and Syracuse students even graduate in a joint commencement ceremony each May.” It is not just that the two are in the same city, they are adjacent to each other. So, ESF student essentially enjoy SU at a fraction of the cost paid by SU students. As a private school, SU has a beautiful campus and very good resources-which are available to ESF students.
UNC-CH has an environmental science and engineering major located within the Gillings School of Public Health.
I second the SUNY ESF suggestion. The program has a depth of classes that the LACs can’t match.
Juniata in PA ought to be considered. It’s very well known in our area for the field.
Just a note, SUNY ESF students no longer live in Syracuse U. dorms, the college built their own dorm a few years ago. It is actually closer to the Syracuse main campus than many Syracuse dorms. Also you could likely get a merit scholarship at ESF at that score level, not a huge one but $5000 or so is quite possible.
Middlebury is really considered the benchmark program. It was the first Environmental Studies program in the country. Bill McKibben (if you’re interested in the environment you know who he is) teaches there. The Environmental organization, 350.org, started there. They offer a scholarship in environmental journalism each year. Many of their alums have gone on to do big things with the environment. People usually think of languages or international studies with Middlebury, but the environment is another one of their programs for which they are best known.
Agree that Juniata offers excellent programs in environmental sciences. Allegheny would be another school to consider along these lines.
For this field, schools near natural areas should clearly be given preference.
Agree with SUNY-ESF. However, unless a student’s interest resides in forestry specifically (a quasi-environmental subject), I would not consider this school to be stronger for ES than some of the LACs mentioned, particularly since some LACs may offer exceptional complementary courses in fields such as geosciences, biology, chemistry and physics.
Environmental engineering would significantly improve your employability. Your stats are excellent…congrats. 40 years ago the big names were UNC, Drexel, Manhattan, Cornell … but times have changed. New search terms are geoscience and geoenvironmental. I’ve done air, water, waste and sustainability. Feel free to PM me.
These days all the funding growth seems to be in storm water and related ecological management.