2027 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value environmental engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in environmental engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Wilkes University the best value for a degree in environmental engineering in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $60,098. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $24,958. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the best values for environmental engineering. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $61,414. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University earned the #6 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $30,983. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $64,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
More Environmental Engineering Rankings
View All Environmental Engineering Rankings >
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.