2026 Best Environmental Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Environmental Engineering doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 171 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Environmental Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, our #1 Environmental Engineering school in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $13,516. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile
Out of the 171 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #2 spot. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $11,904. Get the full Rice University report
You'll be in good company at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on this year's Environmental Engineering ranking in the United States. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $16,316 in debt. More on Purdue University Main Campus
The strong Environmental Engineering programs at Vanderbilt University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Environmental Engineering program debt is $19,028. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Johns Hopkins University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #8 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $23,530. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #9 position. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $15,625. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Lehigh University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Environmental Engineering program here. Read more about Lehigh University
Michigan State University placed #11 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete their Environmental Engineering program here. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Michigan Technological University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $26,545 in student loans. More on Michigan Technological University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #14 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Florida placed #15 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $23,000 in debt. See the full University Of Florida profile
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Clemson University Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full Clemson University report
Clarkson University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Potsdam, NY. Clarkson University graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $59,398 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Clarkson University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $25,060. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Based in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. The median Environmental Engineering program debt is $20,836. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Set in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Stevens Institute Of Technology Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $26,767 in debt. Get the full Stevens Institute Of Technology report
University Of North Dakota ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. University Of North Dakota Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $25,110 in debt. Read more about University Of North Dakota
University Of Iowa placed #23 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Connecticut ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. University Of Connecticut Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $21,738 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
University Of California Irvine landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. The median Environmental Engineering program debt is $16,539. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Rest of the Top 50 Best Environmental Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Central Florida ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Florida Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $24,596 in debt. More on University Of Central Florida
Drexel University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Students borrow a median of $30,983 to complete their Environmental Engineering program here. Read more about Drexel University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #28 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. New Jersey Institute Of Technology graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete their Environmental Engineering program here. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of Arizona placed #29 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. University Of Arizona Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $21,861 in debt. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #30 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Illinois Institute Of Technology Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $26,774 in debt. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
University Of Houston landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. The median Environmental Engineering program debt is $21,255. See the full University Of Houston profile
University Of Kansas placed #32 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. University Of Kansas Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $23,608 in debt. Read more about University Of Kansas
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. The median Environmental Engineering program debt is $23,138. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. University Of South Florida Main Campus Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $21,829 in debt. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Temple University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Get the full Temple University report
Texas A And M University Kingsville did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Texas A And M University Kingsville posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete their Environmental Engineering program here. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical Environmental Engineering student debt is $23,312. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Oregon State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Oregon State University Environmental Engineering students take on a median of $24,043 in debt. Read more about Oregon State University
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At El Paso
California Institute Of Technology ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. See the full California Institute Of Technology profile
Bucknell University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. More on Bucknell University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #42 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Connecticut College placed #43 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. Read the full report on Connecticut College
Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Read more about Northwestern University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #45 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
New York University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Environmental Engineering schools. Read more about New York University
Tarleton State University placed #47 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Tarleton State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Lowell did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on University Of Massachusetts Lowell
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #49 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Southwestern Oregon Community College placed #50 among Environmental Engineering schools in the United States. More on Southwestern Oregon Community College
Related Environmental Engineering Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Environmental Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- Best Environmental Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Environmental Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 171 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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