2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the environmental engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
For return on investment in environmental engineering, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $97,390. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Merced is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,665. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Riverside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $18,068. 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.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University came in at #6 for value in environmental engineering 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $24,350 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $55,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of California Davis landed the #7 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. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #8 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, 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 landed the #9 spot for environmental engineering value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $66,482 early in their careers. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of San Diego earned the #10 position for value in 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. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. 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.
[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
