2026 Best Environmental Engineering Schools in California

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in environmental engineering. 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. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong environmental engineering program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. 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%. About 28 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of Southern California

3

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in environmental engineering, ranking #3. 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%. There were roughly 31 environmental engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $82,197 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the environmental engineering program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of San Diego awarded about 15 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of San Diego

5

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in environmental engineering, ranking #5. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 22 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. 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

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for environmental engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 15 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539. See the full environmental engineering program report for University Of California Irvine

7

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for environmental engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 48 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $97,390 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from California State University Fullerton

8

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #8 among the best environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 30 environmental engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their environmental engineering degree from San Diego State University earn around $66,482 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from San Diego State University

9

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $59,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,068 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from University Of California Riverside

10

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #10 position for environmental engineering this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 18 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Graduates of the environmental engineering program make about $47,028 in their early career. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $21,665 in student loans. Read more about the environmental engineering program at University Of California Merced

11

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best environmental engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Arcata. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 20 environmental engineering degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Environmental Engineering graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $55,589 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,350 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in environmental engineering from Humboldt State University