by our College Data Analytics TeamMajoring in Environmental Engineering combines an interest in the environment with engineering principles. If you're interested in natural environments, pollution control and improving the life of humans and animals, this could be an excellent major for you.
Environmental engineers help clean up the environment through the use of math and science. This major encompasses a wide range of subjects. Not only will you be taking engineering classes, but you will take in social sciences and environmental studies. These classes can include air pollution control, geology for engineers, hydrology and hydraulics, water pollution control and treatment, environmental engineering design, and environmental organic chemistry. You will learn how to design, create, and evaluate structures and equipment that will help protect, preserve or safely utilize environmental resources. Solutions to the issues in environment will include improving upon recycling, waste disposal, public health, and better ways to control both air and water pollution.
A degree in Environmental Engineering involves the study of Environmental/environmental Health Engineering. Continue reading for the important information every environmental engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering environmental engineering programs.
In the U.S., environmental engineering draws strong interest, with 2,844 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Environmental Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 157 schools to determine the best overall colleges for environmental engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of environmental engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Environmental Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations environmental engineering graduates commonly enter.
Students who are passionate about environmental issues are often drawn to this major. In addition, it will help you to have an interest in math and science. Be prepared to spend long hours studying in order to use valuable knowledge in the lab and in the field conducting research.
Much of your work, both in college and in your career, will involve working on a team. Be prepared to collaborate with team members to reach goals. You should also be comfortable speaking and writing about your findings.
The skill set developed in a environmental engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a environmental engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several environmental engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,858 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 831 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 154 |
People currently working in careers related to environmental engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 34.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.1% |
| Master’s degree | 11.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 10.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in environmental engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Both state and local governments are spending more money in efforts to increase efficiency of water use, waste disposal and pollution control. Environmental Engineers should also be able to find work in private business and corporations in order to maximize efficiency while following environmental protection laws.
Majoring in environmental engineering opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to environmental engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to environmental engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | 334,450 | -0.8% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | 101,952 | 0.4% |
| Environmental Engineers | 83,613 | 9.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of environmental engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $65,973 |
| 4 years | $73,709 |
| 5 years | $82,616 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for environmental engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers environmental engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers | $122,967 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $122,201 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Environmental Engineers | $79,896 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
With 157 different environmental engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased environmental engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in environmental engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 2,844 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
