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Environmental Engineering Schools and Programs in The United States

41 schools in The United States teach Environmental Engineering.

Environmental Engineering Studies in The United States

Environmental engineering applies engineering methods to problems such as drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, air pollution control, waste management and the clean-up of contaminated sites. In the United States the subject is usually taught in a department of civil and environmental engineering, sometimes together with chemical engineering, and at a few universities in a programme of its own. The directory lists 41 schools for environmental engineering in the United States.

How the degree is organised

The entry qualification for the profession is a bachelor's degree. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that environmental engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field, such as chemical, civil or general engineering. Bachelor's programmes usually take four years, and some universities have five-year engineering programmes that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree. According to the BLS, programmes usually include courses in subjects such as construction systems, engineering mechanics and geochemistry, and combine academic instruction, laboratory study and fieldwork.

There are no national credit rules: EducationUSA explains that each institution has its own requirement for the number of credits needed to graduate. The Georgia Institute of Technology is one example. Its Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering requires 129 semester hours in total. Students begin with foundational courses in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, the fourth year is elective based, and a BS/MS option leads to both degrees in five years.

The name and place of the degree differ between universities:

  • Northwestern University offers a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and a minor in the subject
  • Stanford University offers an Environmental Systems Engineering major next to its Civil Engineering major
  • Tennessee Tech University teaches the subject as an Environmental Engineering concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
  • The University of Colorado at Boulder runs an Environmental Engineering Program with a Bachelor of Science, two Master of Science routes and a Doctor of Philosophy

At graduate level, EducationUSA describes the master's as a two-year degree and the doctorate as a five to eight-year programme.

Accreditation and the engineering licence

Accreditation in the United States is voluntary, decentralised and carried out by non-governmental, non-profit organisations. For engineering the relevant body is ABET. It accredits individual programmes only, not degrees, departments or institutions, and it states that its accreditation is not a ranking system. ABET publishes an online search tool for accredited programmes.

This matters for the licence. The BLS notes that a degree from an accredited programme is usually necessary for engineers to become licensed. A licence is not required for entry-level environmental engineers. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) licence, which generally requires a degree from an accredited engineering programme, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience and a passing score on the PE exam. Each state issues its own licence.

Admission and language

Teaching is in English, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. EducationUSA advises starting the search at least 12 to 18 months before the academic year of entry. At Stanford University, students can declare the major at any time in the first or second year and must have done so by the spring quarter of the second year.

Students can also start at a community college. In the "2+2" route described by EducationUSA, two years of community college are followed by two years of university study to complete the bachelor's degree. Before applying for an F student visa, an applicant must be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Where to study environmental engineering in the United States

The schools in the directory are spread across the country. San Diego, Pittsburgh and Miami each have two listed schools; the other cities have one. Examples include:

  • The University of Florida in Gainesville, which states that its undergraduate programme in Environmental Engineering was established in 1972
  • Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, both in Pittsburgh
  • Oregon State University in Corvallis, where the subject belongs to the School of Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering
  • San Diego State University and National University in San Diego
  • The University of Miami and Florida International University in Miami
  • Purdue University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Colorado School of Mines, Johns Hopkins University and The University of California at Berkeley

Recognition and careers

EducationUSA points out that recognition of course credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers is linked to an institution's accreditation. Students who plan to work outside the United States should also check how their own country recognises a US engineering degree.

According to the BLS, environmental engineers design systems for municipal and industrial water supplies and wastewater treatment. They held about 39,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers were engineering services (24%), state government (20%) and management, scientific and technical consulting services (19%). The BLS projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering take in the United States?

Usually four years of full-time study. Some universities offer five-year programmes that lead to both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

Do I need a licence to work as an environmental engineer in the United States?

Not for entry-level jobs, according to the BLS. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) licence, which each state issues under its own rules.

Is environmental engineering a separate degree from civil engineering?

It depends on the university. Some award a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, while others teach it as a concentration within civil engineering.