Why Unity?

We are the first university in the nation to base our curriculum on a framework of sustainability science.

We offer environmentally focused degrees and courses, each built upon a unique framework of sustainability science. 

Get a private school education at a public school cost.

Unity Environmental University baccalaureate tuition and fees are so affordable, they rival the cost of attending a public school. For students in distance education and taking 24 credits a year, the cost of tuition and fees is less than $1000 more than attending a public institution. And, for those who qualify, that amount may be covered by financial aid. 

Short terms let you focus on one class at a time.

This is especially helpful if you are returning to college while still working full-time. Plus, students who focus on one class at a time retain information better and are more successful academically. Baccalaureate terms are 5-weeks and graduate terms are 8-weeks.

Explore term start dates in Distance Education (online) 

Start and stop when it works for you.

We understand that sometimes life just gets in the way. You have to take care of a sick parent, need to find a new job, or just need a break from classes. At Unity Environmental University, you can pause your studies, so you can deal with whatever life throws at you. And, if you have financial aid, it will be put on hold and available to you when you return to classes, no questions asked.

Our unique locations provide extraordinary opportunities for research and adventure.

Maine sits in the middle of three climate zones, providing special opportunities for experiential learning and original research. Our unique locations are also great jumping-off points for outdoor activities—there’s hiking, camping, skiing, hunting, canoeing, and more all within easy access from our various campus locations around Maine.

We were the first college in the nation to divest from fossil fuels.

Unity Environmental University is committed to the sustainability of our environment and understands the pressing need to address global climate change. That’s why in 2012, we became the first university in the United States to divest from fossil fuels, leading what has become a national movement in higher education.

Pay just for the classes you take with no hidden fees.

To make things even more affordable, with Distance Education you only pay for the classes you are taking. A full-time baccalaureate student, for example, takes just one five-week course (of three credits). If you are in the military, we have a special rate for you, so it is important to talk to one of our concierges to see if you qualify.

• View Tuition and Costs for Distance Education

If you are interested in in-person, you pay just for the services you choose. 

• View Tuition and Costs for In-Person Learning

We provide one-on-one career counseling from day one.

At Unity Environmental University, we focus on our students’ personal fulfillment and professional success, both during their time at Unity and beyond. Our dedicated career services staff works hard to help students and alumni realize their career goals, providing one-on-one career counseling from day one of freshman year and on.

Our practical, valuable education and student experience yield a high return on investment.

Over 75% of Unity Environmental University seniors participate in some form of practicum, internship, field experience, co-op, or clinical assignment. And every year, Unity is host to the largest Environmental Career Fair in New England. And according to a recent survey, 94% of a recent graduating class were employed or attending graduate school within six months of commencement.

We are a highly respected, award-winning institution of higher learning.

Unity Environmental University is one of 20 higher education institutions in the country selected to partner with Google to offer students a two-course sequence focused on coding and machine learning skills.

Field & Stream Magazine named Unity Environmental University as one of the 21 best colleges for hunters and anglers in July 2019.

Unity Environmental University has been named a College of Distinction every year since 2012.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education in August 2018 named Unity Environmental University one of the top ten baccalaureate performers in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, better known as STARS.

The Unity Environmental University Board of Trustees was named as one of five winners of the Association of Governing Boards’ John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership, based on its innovation and exemplary leadership.

In 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranked Unity Environmental Unviersity one of the best regional colleges in the North,  No. 8 position this year for both “Social Mobility” and “Veterans,” and one of the best schools for Baccalaureate Teaching. category among its peers. Unity Environmental University was listed among the Top 10 colleges nationally in two important categories — No. 10 for Food and No. 5 for Academics — in Sierra magazine’s recent list of “Cool Schools.” And in 2011, the Washington Monthly ranked Unity among the top 20 baccalaureate colleges in the nation. We have been on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll and are included in the Princeton Review’s guide to green colleges. Also in 2016, Unity Environmental University was ranked as one of the most affordable sustainable colleges.

Unity Environmental University is ranked one of the best institutions (#2) in Sustainable Investment & Finance on the 2017 AASHE Sustainable Campus Index, and has obtained a Gold star level for sustainability initiatives for the past 5 years.

We are a Military Friendly School ®, the standard that measures our commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.