2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Leading the list is Purdue University Main Campus, our #1 best value for environmental engineering in the Great Lakes Region. 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, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,316 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $71,861. That is a strong return on a $16,316 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Students borrow a median of $20,457 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $69,490. That is a strong return on a $20,457 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #5. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $26,545 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $64,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,813. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $24,923. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

8

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in environmental engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $24,850. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $67,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University placed #10 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

11

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #11 for value in environmental engineering this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $64,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.