2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/environmental-control-technology/environmental-engineering-technology-environmental-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value environmental engineering technology/environmental technology schools.
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2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the environmental engineering technology/environmental technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Northwest Shoals Community College the best value for a degree in environmental engineering technology/environmental technology in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Environmental Engineering Technology/environmental Technology graduates carry a median of $13,312 in student loans. Environmental Engineering Technology/environmental Technology graduates of Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of $33,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Appalachian State University one of the best values for environmental engineering technology/environmental technology. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Environmental Engineering Technology/environmental Technology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Environmental Engineering Technology/environmental Technology graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering technology/environmental technology will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering technology/environmental technology graduates is $21,141. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering technology/environmental technology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $47,936. Set against $21,141 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering technology/environmental technology will find it at Duke University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for environmental engineering technology/environmental technology graduates is $13,296. Environmental Engineering Technology/environmental Technology graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
