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Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Stanford University breaks the private school affordability myth with a net price of $12,136 for Environmental Engineering students, proving that elite education doesn't always mean crushing debt. The school sits alongside public giants like UC San Diego and UC Irvine in this under-$20,000 category, creating an unusual mix where California dominates the affordable options despite its reputation for high costs. Florida emerges as the true value leader, with five institutions offering net prices between $6,351 and $10,319, while graduates from University of Connecticut-Waterbury command the highest starting salaries at $58,221. Environmental health engineers find strong job markets across these regions, particularly in Florida's growing water management sector and California's renewable energy industry. The 20 programs span from CUNY City College's remarkable $3,486 net price to earnings that reach nearly $60,000 annually, demonstrating that environmental careers offer both affordability and solid financial returns.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $17,185
Net Price Range
$52,775
Avg. Program Earnings
65.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
4 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
5 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
6 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $9,899 $4,940 53.0% 56.0%
8 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
9 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
10 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
11 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
12 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
13 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
14 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
15 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
16 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
17 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
18 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
19 $13,289 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
20 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
21 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
22 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
23 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
24 $13,773 $14,278 63.6% 81.5%
25 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
26 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
27 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
28 $14,170 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
29 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
30 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
31 $14,754 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
32 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
33 $14,922 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
34 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
35 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
36 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
37 $15,402 $8,994 62.4% 85.6%
38 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
39 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
40 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
41 $16,136 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
42 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
43 $16,240 $8,050 58.1% 89.5%
44 $16,338 $9,810 23.6%
45 $16,544 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
46 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
47 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
48 $16,972 $5,786 48.1% 67.9%
49 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
50 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Florida such a strong choice for affordable environmental engineering programs?

Florida offers five programs under $20,000, with net prices ranging from $6,351 at University of Florida to $10,319 at Florida Gulf Coast University. The state's focus on water management and environmental protection creates strong job demand for graduates. University of Florida stands out with a 91.5% graduation rate and only 23.35% acceptance rate, offering strong value for competitive students.

How do California's environmental engineering programs compare on cost?

Three UC campuses make this affordable list, with net prices from $11,750 at UC San Diego to $12,840 at UC Irvine. UC Merced offers the lowest barrier to entry with an 89.46% acceptance rate, while UC San Diego and UC Irvine maintain highly selective admission rates of 23.71% and 21.15% respectively. These programs benefit from California's leadership in renewable energy and environmental technology sectors.

Is Stanford University really affordable for environmental engineering students?

Stanford's $12,136 net price places it among the most affordable options nationally, despite a sticker price of $62,484. The university's generous financial aid brings costs below many public institutions for qualifying students. With a 92.8% graduation rate and only 3.68% acceptance rate, Stanford offers unparalleled opportunities for the few students who gain admission.

What salary expectations should graduates have from these programs?

Starting salaries range from $38,721 for UC Merced graduates to $58,221 for University of Connecticut students. Most programs produce graduates earning between $48,000 and $58,000 annually, with typical student debt loads around $20,000 to $23,000. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates earn $57,318 with only $20,000 in debt, offering one of the best return-on-investment ratios.

Where can students find the lowest net prices for environmental engineering?

CUNY City College offers the absolute lowest cost at $3,486 net price, though with a moderate 54.7% graduation rate. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology provides strong value at $8,265 with specialized mining environmental focus. Florida's public universities consistently offer net prices under $11,000, making the state a top destination for cost-conscious environmental engineering students.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.