
Unity Environmental University traces its origins to Unity College, founded in 1965 in Unity, Maine. The institution was established with an emphasis on environmental learning, a focus that remains central to its academic identity.
Its recent history matters to applicants because the university is not simply the former Unity College operating under a new name. After changes to its residential model, the institution expanded its online offerings and adopted the name Unity Environmental University in 2023. New Gloucester is now an important location for in-person learning, while many students study remotely. Alumni accounts and older descriptions of the campus in Unity should not be assumed to describe the experience available to new students in New Gloucester.
Unity Environmental University concentrates on environmentally related education rather than offering the full range of departments found at a comprehensive university. Its offerings span undergraduate and graduate study, with delivery varying by program.
Fields represented in its academic portfolio include wildlife and conservation, environmental management, animal science, ecology, sustainability, climate-related study, and outdoor education. Students may also find programs connecting environmental work with areas such as business, communication, or public health. The useful distinction for applicants is between a subject appearing in the university's overall program directory and a particular degree being offered in their preferred format. They should check the current catalog for the credential, required fieldwork, course sequence, and whether attendance in New Gloucester is necessary.
Unity Environmental University is associated with New Gloucester, Maine, a rural community in southern Maine. Its New Gloucester learning location should be distinguished from the former Unity College campus in the town of Unity and from the university's online programs.
For students attending in person, the setting makes transportation planning important: field activities and daily errands may not work like they would at a downtown campus. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, according to institutional profile information. Online applicants, meanwhile, should establish whether their program includes any required visits, field placements, or other location-dependent activities before budgeting for travel.
Unity Environmental University states an educational mission centered on environmental knowledge and work addressing environmental challenges. Its programs emphasize applying learning in fields such as conservation, sustainability, and animal and natural-resource management.
That mission describes the institution's priorities, not a guarantee that a particular degree leads to a particular job. Prospective students can assess how it appears in practice by comparing program learning outcomes, required field or laboratory experiences, and the types of employers relevant to their intended career. The university is not presented as a religiously affiliated institution.
Name of the institution
Unity Environmental UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Rural: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1965Unity Environmental University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.