2026 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in California
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 California. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $97,390 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general environmental engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Merced earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,665 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $47,028 early in their careers. Set against $21,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #5 place for general environmental engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $14,238. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Humboldt State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $55,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for general environmental engineering. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 for value in general environmental engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. 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. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $82,197. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #9 among the best values for general environmental engineering. 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, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of San Diego earned the #10 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $23,795. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general environmental engineering education at a price that pays off.
