2026 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in general environmental engineering in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $97,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $16,539. General 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. The acceptance rate is 29%.

3

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Merced one of the best values for general environmental engineering. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in general environmental engineering will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

5

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Students looking for strong value in general environmental engineering will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $59,309. Set against $18,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

7

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University earned the #7 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $55,589. Set against $24,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #8 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $14,404. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #10 spot for general environmental engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $82,197. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

11

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #11 for value in general environmental engineering this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $25,060 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $65,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #12 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $66,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

13

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $24,043. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $68,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

14

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #15 position for value in general environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $15,625. Early-career general environmental engineering graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.