2026 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
[General Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/general-environmental-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general environmental engineering students.
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2026 Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general environmental engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Environmental Engineering Schools
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among general environmental engineering schools in Pennsylvania. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #2 place for general environmental engineering. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general environmental engineering program here. General Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general environmental engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical student debt for general environmental engineering graduates is $23,529. General 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. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Drexel University one of the best values for general environmental engineering. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $30,983 in student loans. General Environmental Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $64,712 early in their careers. Set against $30,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general environmental engineering schools. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. General Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,951 in student loans. General Environmental Engineering graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,331 early in their careers. Set against $25,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
More General Environmental Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
