2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Environmental Engineering](/majors/engineering/environmental-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong environmental engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for environmental engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in environmental engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in environmental engineering in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $15,525. Environmental Engineering graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $97,390 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for environmental engineering. 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. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $82,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in environmental engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for environmental engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #6 spot for environmental engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $19,349. Environmental Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $64,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #7 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #8 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,028 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $57,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,028 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $22,143. 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 Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #10 among the best values for environmental engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,103 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $73,584. Set against $19,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #12 for value in environmental engineering this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $57,679. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Environmental Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #14 position for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $26,004. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $67,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #15 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $86,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #16 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University came in at #19 for value in environmental engineering this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $76,829 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #20 among the best values for environmental engineering. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $63,049. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in environmental engineering this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Environmental Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Environmental Engineering graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Early-career environmental engineering graduates make about $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #23 spot for environmental engineering value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Environmental Engineering graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College came in at #24 for value in environmental engineering this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Typical student debt for environmental engineering graduates is $25,968. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $61,065. Set against $25,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of San Diego ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value environmental engineering schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the environmental engineering program here. Soon after graduation, environmental engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Environmental Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in environmental engineering:
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 list is compiled 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 26 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.
