If you’ve looked into majoring in engineering in college or majoring in environmental studies, or possibly a dual major combining the two, you’ve probably seen environmental engineering pop up as an option that merges them seamlessly. Cornell, the first school on this list of the Best Colleges for Environmental Engineering describes Environmental Engineering well , “Environmental engineers are called upon to understand, arrange and manipulate biological, chemical, ecological, economic, hydrological, physical and social processes to balance our material needs with our impacts on the environment.”

Through the study of green energy, natural aquatic systems and water treatment, and the recycling of energy, students of Environmental Engineering truly are shaping a more sustainable future. As you look through our ten favorite Environmental Engineering programs, remember that they are all very different, but in super technical ways that are hard to outline in a post like this. One Environmental Engineering degree is not like another, and it can take time to parse out the differences between the programs because there is a lot of technical language in the mix. To find the best program for you, you need to look closely at the specifics of the core learning objectives and whether the curriculum offers what you’re looking for.

If you aren’t sure which Environmental Engineering program is right for you, send us an email. We help students chart a course to a successful future.  

Cornell University — Ithaca, New York

The Cornell BS in is a joint program between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering in the Department of Biological & Environmental Engineering. This program is uniquely broad, while still laser focused. Because it is a collaboration between two colleges, students have access to diverse resources. “We aim to enable our students,” , “to drive innovation as our discipline continues to be transformed by our changing world.”

Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts

The at Harvard is housed (as you would expect) in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The program brings together engineering, natural sciences, and math to empower students pursuing the BS or BA option to “understand and address environmental challenges.” If you choose to pursue the Bachelor of Arts, you’ll have more flexibility to bring in courses from outside of engineering, while the Bachelor of Science degree track is an engineering-intensive course of study.

Columbia University — New York, New York

The Earth and Environmental Engineering program, Columbia , “trains engineers who can provide leadership and innovation in the conscientious use of Earth’s resources.” Students in the program at Columbia Engineering pick one of three problem areas to focus on for their third and fourth years: Water Resources and Climate Risks, Sustainable Energy and Materials, or Environmental Health Engineering. This theme directs the second half of your experience at Columbia, and will also help guide you toward internship, research, and career opportunities.

Yale University — New Haven, Connecticut

Yale offers to major in Environmental Engineering, a BS in Environmental Engineering, or a BA in Engineering Sciences (Environmental). Like all schools that offer both options, they are not interchangeable programs and it’s crucial that you know the difference. The BS is designed for students who are seeking a strong background in engineering so that they can seek out a career as an engineer. The BA is designed for students who are considering a career in which they will benefit from a foundation in engineering but aren’t planning to actually practice it as a field, such as in law, medicine, or public service. Doing the BA won’t save you from math classes, though. Both options have significant math requirements before you can declare the major.

University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, California

The Environmental Engineering Science at UC Berkeley is rooted in the sciences, allowing students to take courses throughout a variety of departments inside and outside of the College of Engineering. This program specifically prides itself on giving students the bandwidth to dive into their environmental interests and passions more than they would be able to do at other engineering programs. Berkeley has a tradition of academic exploration and intellectual adventure, and the Environmental Engineering program is no different.

University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan

The degree at UMich’s College of Engineering challenges students to “become an engineer in service to society.” It’s a lofty challenge, but one fitting of a program ranked (by some) second in the country. Students pursue solutions for cleaner water, cleaner land, cleaner air, and alternative energy options through the standard four-year program and a five-year bachelors/masters combination called the Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Program (SUGS). Additional fun fact about this program: more than 50% of the student in the major identify as female, making it a rare example of gender parity in a collegiate engineering program.

Northeastern — Boston, Massachusetts

The Northeastern major is focused on innovation, design, and literally changing the way the world works. Students are invited to address “some of the greatest collective challenges of our time,” through an engineering lens — and they rise to the challenge. Through course such as “Engineering Microbiology and Ecology” and “Environmental Pollution Fate and Transport,” and the immersive co-op experiential learning program, students at Northeastern develop conceptual knowledge and hands-on expertise to thrive.

Drexel University — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  

If you’re looking for an Environmental Engineering program that stands out from the pack, . Their BS in Environmental Engineering looks a lot like most other top Environmental Engineering programs but for one thing: the co-op program. Like Northeastern, Drexel requires students to take part in the workforce while they are pursuing their degree. This challenges students to put their lessons to work in the real world, and gives them an opportunity to discover new passions. As a student, you’d have the option to graduate in four years with one six-month co-op, or in five years with three co-ops. 

Syracuse University — Syracuse, New York

Syracuse is another top university that offers a , but theirs combines a bachelor’s and master’s together so you graduate with both. You don’t need to do it to major in , but it’s an amazing option if you’re looking to put your degree to work in the engineering field right out of college. While in school, you’ll “focus your learning on the preservation and management of the environment,” and students can collaborate with faculty on research projects and even find employment in fieldwork and paid summer internships.

University of California Davis — Davis, California

Students at UC Davis the program. Students in the major learn (and come up with their own) tangible ways to address overwhelming challenges. You also have the option to double major in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering, which is a one-two punch that’s highly desired in the workforce today.

All engineering programs are super technical and specific, so make sure that you look at the courses, curriculum, and prerequisites for any program that you are considering, ensuring that the school you like the sound of socially or conceptually actually matches what you need academically.

If you know what you want to study but aren’t sure where to go, send us an email. We help students like you find, and get into, their perfect fit.