[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for environmental engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Environmental Engineering School for You
The right environmental engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among environmental engineering schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $97,390. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $72,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for environmental engineering. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $62,945. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,028 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $57,824. Set against $19,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $70,008 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University placed #8 among the best values for environmental engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $10,492. Environmental Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for environmental engineering value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $56,443 early in their careers. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $16,539. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #12 for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $20,778. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $16,316 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $71,861. Set against $16,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #14 for value in environmental engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #15 spot for environmental engineering value 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. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $14,404. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Merced landed the #16 spot for environmental engineering value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $47,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #17 for value in environmental engineering this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $62,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $59,309. That is a strong return on a $18,068 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,929. Environmental Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #20 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $66,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Michigan Technological University came in at #21 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,545 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $64,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Arizona State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,103. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $63,299. That is a strong return on a $19,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Humboldt State University landed the #23 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,350 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $55,589. Set against $24,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $82,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #25 among the best values for environmental engineering. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for environmental engineering this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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).
[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
