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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Environmental Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

66 Colleges in the United States
1,593 Environmental Engineering Degrees Awarded
$62,861 Avg Early-Career Salary

Environmental Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 171 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best environmental engineering schools.

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Best Schools for Environmental Engineering in the United States

See the highest-ranked environmental engineering schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Environmental Engineering

1

Cornell University tops our 2026 ranking of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $69,558 in their early career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $13,102 in student loans. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University

2

The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 47 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $57,819 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in environmental engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 34 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. See the full environmental engineering program report for Texas A And M University College Station

5

University Of California Berkeley came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 13 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of California Berkeley

6

Northwestern University landed the #6 spot for environmental engineering this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 10 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Northwestern University

7
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 59 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent 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. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Purdue University Main Campus

8

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #8 position for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 11 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

9

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for environmental engineering this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 31 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $82,197 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the environmental engineering program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 28 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $57,824 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,028. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

11

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for environmental engineering this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 20 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. See the full environmental engineering program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

12

University Of California Davis placed #12 among the best environmental engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 22 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404. Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of California Davis

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #13 position for environmental engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. Read more about the environmental engineering program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

14

Washington University In St Louis earned the #14 position for environmental engineering this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 11 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $68,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Washington University In St Louis

15

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #15 among the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 10 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $59,877 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

16
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 14 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $68,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Tufts University

17

University Of California Irvine landed the #17 spot for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 15 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of California Irvine

18

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #18 spot for environmental engineering this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $63,049. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Colorado Boulder

19

Colorado School Of Mines earned the #19 position for environmental engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 37 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. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. See the full environmental engineering program report for Colorado School Of Mines

20

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #20 spot for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $67,251 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $26,004 in student loans. See the full environmental engineering program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

21

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #21 among the best environmental engineering schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 10 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $77,378 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,975. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

22

Texas Tech University came in at #22 for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 16 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $76,708 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Get the full environmental engineering details for Texas Tech University

23

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 45 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $67,938 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Ohio State University Main Campus

24

San Diego State University landed the #24 spot for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from San Diego State University earn around $66,482 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete this degree. Get the full environmental engineering details for San Diego State University

25

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #25 for environmental engineering this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $70,008 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Read more about the environmental engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Environmental Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong environmental engineering education:

26
27
28
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
29
30
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL
31
32
33
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for environmental engineering:

Other Environmental Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best environmental engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Environmental Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Environmental Engineering
Master's Degrees in Environmental Engineering
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View All Environmental Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 171 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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