2027 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
[General Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/general-environmental-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general environmental engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general environmental engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general environmental engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general environmental engineering in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $97,390. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general environmental engineering will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Merced is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $47,028. Set against $21,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general environmental engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for general environmental engineering. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Humboldt State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $24,350 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $55,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in general environmental engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #10 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,068 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $59,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
San Diego State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $19,089. General Environmental Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $66,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #12 among the best values for general environmental engineering. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $25,060. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $65,194. Set against $25,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #13 for value in general environmental engineering this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $82,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $68,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of San Diego landed the #15 spot for general environmental engineering value this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California placed #16 among the best values for general environmental engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
