2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $97,390. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $72,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for environmental engineering. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $62,945. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for environmental engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for environmental engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #6 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $64,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $16,316 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $71,861. Set against $16,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $70,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

10

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #10 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,819. Environmental Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $56,443. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

13

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,929. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $19,929 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

14

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #15 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,028. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $57,824. Set against $19,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #16 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,068 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $59,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

17

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,103 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $63,299. That is a strong return on a $19,103 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #18 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #19 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $22,143. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $62,915. Set against $22,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

21

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,665 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $47,028. That is a strong return on a $21,665 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.

22

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #22 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $82,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.

23

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #23 for value in environmental engineering this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $26,475. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $47,717. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #24 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $57,679. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

25

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.