Environmental Engineering programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their environmental engineering programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 171 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for environmental engineering students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Environmental Engineering School
The environmental engineering program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Environmental Engineering Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Environmental Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Environmental Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Environmental Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Environmental Engineering in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the environmental engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for environmental engineering. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 51 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in environmental engineering, ranking #2. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 26 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Cornell University earn around $69,558 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $13,102 in student loans.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Cornell University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 57 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
See the full environmental engineering program report for The University Of Texas At Austin
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 23 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full environmental engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong environmental engineering program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 61 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $86,557. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 24 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $113,129 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for environmental engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 34 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $64,891 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of California Berkeley came in at #8 for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 13 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of California Berkeley
Northwestern University came in at #9 for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 10 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $78,551 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Northwestern University
University Of Southern California landed the #10 spot for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 28 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $75,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of Southern California
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #11 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. There were roughly 84 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $71,861 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,316 to complete this degree.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778.
Get the full environmental engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Yale University placed #13 among the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 24 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
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Carnegie Mellon University placed #14 among the best environmental engineering schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
Read more about the environmental engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 87 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 55 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $57,824 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,028 to complete this degree.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 31 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $82,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full environmental engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of San Diego earned the #18 position for environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 15 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. University Of San Diego graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of San Diego
University Of California Davis came in at #19 for environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of California Davis earn around $53,749 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of California Davis
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #20 for environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 29 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best environmental engineering schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Washington University In St Louis
Tufts University came in at #22 for environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tufts University awarded about 14 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074.
More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Tufts University
University Of California Irvine placed #23 among the best environmental engineering schools. 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. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $50,958 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree.
See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of California Irvine
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #24 position for environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 59 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $69,102 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full environmental engineering details for Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 86 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. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Colorado Boulder
Rest of the Top 50 Environmental Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s environmental engineering ranking:
The ranking above is published 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.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
