Compare 5 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. programs in California. Average earnings: $67,511.
With top graduates earning $84,785, Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $17K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering program leads with graduates earning $84,785, well above the $67,511 average across California's 5 programs. UC Riverside follows at $76,232, while Cal Poly Humboldt delivers $71,510—demonstrating that outcomes track program quality, not overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 4.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, UC Riverside leads with a 9.8% family burden when parent loans are included—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $84,785
Strong outcomes ($76,232) with 63% acceptance
4.1% payment burden | Excellent
9.8% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $84,785 | 38 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $76,232 | 29 | $17,500 | Excellent | $18,275 | Good | |
| #3 | $71,510 | 68 | $18,000 | Excellent | $18,257 | Good | |
| #4 | $69,970 | 14 | $16,144 | Excellent | $18,376 | Good | |
| #5 | $35,060 | 38 | $15,000 | Manageable | $25,565 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
