Environmental Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best environmental engineering schools.
Where you study environmental engineering matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Environmental Engineering rankings. For our Best Overall Environmental Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Environmental Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Environmental Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Our analysis ranked Cornell University the best school in the country for a degree in environmental engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 38 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $69,558 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,102 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong environmental engineering program will find one at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 71 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong environmental engineering program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 15 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans.
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Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 63 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $86,557 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 23 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
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Texas A And M University College Station placed #7 among the best environmental engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 69 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 66 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $57,824 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,028 in student loans.
See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Southern California ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 24 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Southern California
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #11 position for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 40 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $82,197. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full environmental engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of San Diego earned the #12 position for environmental engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Diego awarded about 28 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of San Diego earn around $68,281 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree.
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Purdue University Main Campus placed #13 among the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 90 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $71,861 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,316.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Purdue University Main Campus
Carnegie Mellon University placed #14 among the best environmental engineering schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 12 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #15 position for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
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University Of California Irvine ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 20 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539.
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Tufts University earned the #19 position for environmental engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 17 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
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Stanford University earned the #20 position for environmental engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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San Diego State University placed #21 among the best environmental engineering schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 38 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $66,482. Typical student debt for the program is $19,089.
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Colorado School Of Mines ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 63 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $69,102. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Fullerton landed the #23 spot for environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 32 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $97,390. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
See the full environmental engineering program report for California State University Fullerton
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #24 spot for environmental engineering this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 69 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $63,049 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #25 for environmental engineering this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 11 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Rest of the Top 50 Environmental Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s environmental engineering ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 80 schools evaluated.
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).
