Compare 12 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $64,819.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering tells a different story. Across 12 programs, earnings range from $35,060 to $84,785—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering program leads with graduates earning $84,785, well above the $64,819 average. UC Riverside follows at $76,232 with a 63% acceptance rate, while Colorado School of Mines reaches $75,799—proving regional publics compete directly with specialized institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cal Poly graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 4.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, UC Riverside leads with a 9.8% family burden compared to Colorado School of Mines' 21.8%—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 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $75,799 | 46 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Challenging |
| #4 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $73,795 | 18 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #5 | $73,677 | 49 | $19,500 | Excellent | $46,340 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $71,510 | 68 | $18,000 | Excellent | $18,257 | Good | |
| #7 | $69,970 | 14 | $16,144 | Excellent | $18,376 | Good | |
| #8 | $69,436 | 27 | $19,000 | Excellent | $23,489 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $57,318 | 22 | $18,922 | Excellent | $26,150 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $47,118 | 31 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #11 | $43,128 | 28 | $19,500 | Manageable | $23,519 | High | |
| #12 | $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 →
