2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among environmental engineering schools 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. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $97,390. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

A rank of #2 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. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering will find it at University Of California Merced, which ranked #3. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,665 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $47,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #6 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,068 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $59,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

7

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University came in at #7 for value in environmental engineering this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $24,350. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $55,589. That is a strong return on a $24,350 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $14,238. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $14,404. 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.

10

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #10 position for value in 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 average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $82,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

11

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #11 for value in environmental engineering this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,060 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $65,194. That is a strong return on a $25,060 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #12 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $66,482. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

13

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $24,043. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $68,223. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego placed #14 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $23,795. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $68,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #15 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.