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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$23,383 Avg Student Debt
$67,226 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Badge [Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for environmental engineering students.

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2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in environmental engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in environmental engineering in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $72,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $64,541. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,829. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $27,250. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $70,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in environmental engineering will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #5. 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. Environmental Engineering graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

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6

University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $56,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,143 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $62,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #8 for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $26,004 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $67,251. That is a strong return on a $26,004 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

Kennesaw State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $27,004 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $61,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,004 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

10

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #10 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $59,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

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11
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #11 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $68,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.

12

The University Of Alabama placed #12 among the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #13 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

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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 · 28 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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