2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 171 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value environmental engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the environmental engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in environmental engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $62,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $62,945 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $64,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,316 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $71,861. Set against $16,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,829. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for environmental engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $70,008. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $56,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #10 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $19,929 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $19,929 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #11 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $14,238. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #12 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,068 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $59,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,028 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $57,824. That is a strong return on a $19,028 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in environmental engineering this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,103. Environmental Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $53,013 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,103 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,143 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $62,915. Set against $22,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Davis landed the #16 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Merced landed the #17 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,665. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $47,028. Set against $21,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $82,197. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Portland State University came in at #19 for value in environmental engineering this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #20 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $27,000. Environmental Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $57,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University came in at #21 for value in environmental engineering this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,350 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $55,589 early in their careers. Set against $24,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #22 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $44,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,457 in student loans. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $69,490. Set against $20,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #24 position for value in environmental engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,089. Environmental Engineering graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $66,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Arizona landed the #25 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $21,861. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for environmental engineering this year:
Other Environmental Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Environmental Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Environmental Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
