by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 152 U.S. colleges awarded 2,892 degrees and certificates in Environmental Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 80 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $65,973 one year after completing, rising to $84,474 after four years.
Majoring in Environmental Engineering combines an interest in the environment with engineering principles. If you're interested in natural environments, pollution control and improving the life of humans and animals, this could be an excellent major for you.
Environmental engineers help clean up the environment through the use of math and science. This major encompasses a wide range of subjects. Not only will you be taking engineering classes, but you will take in social sciences and environmental studies. These classes can include air pollution control, geology for engineers, hydrology and hydraulics, water pollution control and treatment, environmental engineering design, and environmental organic chemistry. You will learn how to design, create, and evaluate structures and equipment that will help protect, preserve or safely utilize environmental resources. Solutions to the issues in environment will include improving upon recycling, waste disposal, public health, and better ways to control both air and water pollution.
A degree in Environmental Engineering involves the study of Environmental/environmental Health Engineering.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., environmental engineering draws strong interest, with 2,892 degrees awarded annually. 152 colleges award environmental engineering degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 94.
By level, the 2,892 awards include 1,918 bachelor’s degrees, 798 master’s degrees and 176 doctorates.
Women earned 55% of environmental engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,603 of 2,892). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,604) and Hispanic or Latino (361), and international students earned 414.
College Factual ranks 80 schools in its 2027 Best Environmental Engineering Schools ranking, including 70 for bachelor’s degrees, 23 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks environmental engineering schools within 30 states. In all, 152 colleges offer environmental engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Environmental Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common environmental engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,918 of the 2,892 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to environmental engineering call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Students who are passionate about environmental issues are often drawn to this major. In addition, it will help you to have an interest in math and science. Be prepared to spend long hours studying in order to use valuable knowledge in the lab and in the field conducting research.
Much of your work, both in college and in your career, will involve working on a team. Be prepared to collaborate with team members to reach goals. You should also be comfortable speaking and writing about your findings.
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How long an environmental engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,918 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 798 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 176 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to environmental engineering, at 34.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 34.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.1% |
| Master’s degree | 11.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 10.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Environmental Engineering, with an average median salary of $99,249; the strongest outlook belongs to Environmental Engineers, at 9.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Mechanical Engineering Teacher, Electronics Engineering Professor, Machine Design Teacher and Electronics Teacher.
Both state and local governments are spending more money in efforts to increase efficiency of water use, waste disposal and pollution control. Environmental Engineers should also be able to find work in private business and corporations in order to maximize efficiency while following environmental protection laws.
The occupation related to environmental engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 334,450 | -0.8% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | 101,952 | 0.4% |
| Environmental Engineers | 83,613 | 9.8% |
Environmental Engineering graduates earn a median $65,973 one year after completing their program, $84,474 after four years and $82,616 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $65,973 |
| 4 years | $84,474 |
| 5 years | $82,616 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to environmental engineering is Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers, with a median salary of $122,967.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | $122,967 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $122,201 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Environmental Engineers | $79,896 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
Environmental Engineering includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (2,892). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 200,143 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (27,513) and Computer Engineering (21,335). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 2,892 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27,513 |
| Computer Engineering | 21,335 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
