KINGSTON, R.I. – March 25, 2025 – Students from across New England interested in the environment and economics can now attend the University of Rhode Island for a program that focuses on a sustainable and affordable future at regional tuition rates. Graduates of URI’s Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ENRE) program will be well poised to tackle national and global environmental issues through an economic lens, helping to develop solutions that can support both environmental and economic goals.

The ENRE undergraduate major blends economic principles and environmental sciences to help students develop a holistic understanding of complex environmental issues and their economic implications.

Environmental economics encourages creative thinking to develop market-based solutions for environmental issues. Students learn to design and evaluate policies like carbon taxes, cap-and-trade systems, and green subsidies, which can drive sustainable practices in businesses and communities. Students will take classes focused on sustainable energy, climate change economics, economics of natural resource management and cost-benefit analysis, while preparing for graduate school or careers in industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Graduates can directly contribute to pressing global challenges such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable resource management and air and water pollution control.

Students can enrich their ENRE degree in several ways:

• The “Green Business” program, which combines a B.S. in business and B.S. in ENRE in four years;
• Add an undergraduate certificate in Energy Economics and Policy, for an integrated focus on energy economics, policy, and hands-on applications;
• The Energy Fellows Program, a selective, professional development program through an internship with the industry and government;
•  The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Masters (ABM) program, which allows students to earn a B.S. and M.S. in ENRE in five years;
• The new Accelerated Bachelor’s to Graduate Certificate (ABC) in Econometrics and Data Analysis, which combines the B.S. and the graduate certificate in just over four years.

These options empower students to tailor their Environmental and Natural Resource Economics degree, accelerate their careers, and gain a competitive edge in the job market.

Tuition break

The New England Board of Higher Education’s Tuition Break program enables thousands of New England residents to enroll at out-of-state New England public colleges and universities at a discounted tuition rate.

According to Simona Trandafir, undergraduate program director, a URI program becomes eligible for regional tuition rates primarily when it is not offered by public institutions in the student’s home state.

“This policy encourages resource sharing among New England states, allowing students access to specialized programs without duplicating offerings across state institutions,” she says. “The ENRE program offers a specialized focus that is not available at public universities in most New England states; now students from those states can come to URI for this degree.”

The new regional designation should attract more New England students to join a program that is a unique offering in the region. Next year, URI will also offer regional tuition for students in several other majors in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, from aquaculture and fisheries science to wildlife and conservation biology. See the full list of eligible programs here.

The economic side of environmental work

Junior Lauren Gardner, a 2024 Energy Fellow, chose ENRE as her major after starting at URI and taking a general education course on human impact on oceans. She knew she wanted a career in climate change related work, but couldn’t see herself doing what some term “boots in the mud” field work.

“I was intrigued by ENRE because it was not a major many other schools offered,” Gardner says. “When I examined the courses and possible career pathways, I immediately made the switch. I’m happy with that decision and the experiences I’ve gained. ENRE has been a perfect balance of everything I enjoy learning about. The professors in the department really care about what they teach, and it shows.”

“ENRE is a great option for people interested in the environment and climate related work. The blend of economic concepts with regard to the environment is unique and interesting.”

As a designated STEM major, students entering this major at the University are also eligible for the University’s newest STEM-based merit award, the Schilling Scholarship. In November 2024, URI announced a $65 million gift, the largest in University history, to support scholarships for high-achieving students. The gift came through the generosity of alumna Helen Izzi Schilling ’54, and her husband, who made plans to recognize top students at the University in STEM-related fields. The University will welcome its first class of Schilling Scholars this fall.

(Note: Students from all New England states are eligible for the Tuition Break regional tuition for the ENRE major, except for Connecticut, which offers a similar program. Rhode Island residents pay in-state tuition for all majors.)

For more information about URI’s Environmental and Natural Resource Economics program, visit here or contact Simona Trandafir, undergraduate program director, at 401-874-7428, simona@uri.edu.