2026 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general environmental engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $97,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $16,539. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for general environmental engineering. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,665 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general environmental engineering will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Students looking for strong value in general environmental engineering will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #5. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $59,309. Set against $18,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University earned the #7 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $55,589. Set against $24,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #8 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $14,404. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #10 spot for general environmental engineering value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #11 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $25,060 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $65,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
San Diego State University earned the #12 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. 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. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #13 on our 2026 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $24,043. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $68,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California earned the #15 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $15,625. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[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.
