The top environmental engineering graduate degrees investigate how human activities affect the environment and look for practical solutions.
They provide cutting-edge information on important environmental issues like waste management, climate change, sustainability, and the production of renewable energy.
A master’s degree in environmental engineering also incorporates several academic fields to give students a background in law, business, and society as they relate to environmental challenges.
The entry criteria for a Graduate Degree in Environmental Engineering are listed in this guide, along with a ranking of the top environmental engineering graduate degree programs.
Due to the increased attention being paid globally to developing sustainable enterprises and reducing pollution, environmental engineers are finding themselves busier than ever. Their efforts are directed at reducing the negative consequences society has on the environment and human health.
Environmental engineers need a strong academic background from prestigious graduate programs in environmental or environmental health engineering to perform this.
Reviewing the top educational options is crucial for prospective students looking to enroll in a graduate program in environmental engineering.
Table of Contents
19 Best Environmental Engineering Graduate Programs
The top ten graduate programs in environmental engineering are shown below
- University of California – Berkeley
- Stanford University in California
- Arizona State University
- Colorado State University
- Drexel University
- North Carolina State University
- Oregon State University
- Rice University
- Syracuse University
- University of Michigan
- University of North Dakota
- Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA
- Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh
- Cornell University
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- The University of Iowa in Iowa City
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1. University of California – Berkeley
On U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 ranking of the best environmental and environmental health engineering programs, Berkeley’s civil and environmental engineering department comes in first.
An engineering project and additional coursework are offered in their Master of Engineering degree to help students become top-tier engineers and scientists.
The curriculum of the school emphasizes environmental fluid mechanics, hydrology, air quality engineering, and water quality engineering.
2. Stanford University in California
Stanford University’s Master of Science, Engineer program is ranked second on the 2017 U.S. News & World Report list of best American universities with a focus on environmental engineering and environmental health engineering.
The master’s program can be finished faster than the normal program and does not call for a thesis.
3. Arizona State University
Arizona State University was established in 1886 and has been named the nation’s most innovative university by US News & World Report. It offers well-regarded programs that give the next generation of workers the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in their vocations.
The School of Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment at Arizona State University offers this master’s degree program. According to US News & World Report, it is recognized as the 16th best environmental engineering program.
The 30-credit program offers advanced knowledge on how to address environmental concerns in contemporary society. It includes topics like sustainable engineering, biotechnology, water resources engineering, and nanotechnology.
4. Colorado State University
According to the Center for World University Rankings, Colorado State University is among the top 1% of all universities worldwide. A wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees are available for students at all academic levels at this top public research university in the nation.
Advanced engineering specialties such as environmental engineering, wind engineering, fluid mechanics, geotechnical engineering, geoenvironmental engineering, and structural engineering are covered by Colorado State University’s Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree.
The environmental engineering specialty focuses on how to safeguard both the natural and human surroundings against risks brought on by environmental contaminants.
5. Drexel University
Anthony J. Drexel founded Drexel University in 1891. It is a renowned research university that emphasizes experiential learning. More than 23,217 students are enrolled in more than 200 academic programs at its 15 colleges and schools.
At Drexel University, the Master of Science in Environmental Engineering program offers advanced expertise in system design, regulations, and operational procedures to create a safe environment for humans and reduce the effects of pollution.
It has a variety of specialties, including those in air pollution, sustainability, water resources, risk assessment for human health, and water and wastewater treatment. Students will learn the factors governing the sector as well as the information and abilities needed to make a career in it.
6. North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University, a land-grant university founded in 1887, provides top-notch instruction and research in hundreds of academic areas. It offers academic programs in engineering, management, science, technology, design, and the life and physical sciences.
The theories, practices, and techniques used to promote environmental health and lessen the effects of pollution are the main topics of this environmental engineering master’s program. It provides two paths, one for water resources engineering and the other for environmental, water resources, and coastal engineering specialties.
7. Oregon State University
One of the three land-grant, space-grant, and sea-grant colleges in the US is Oregon State University. With nearly 34,108 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs, it is a public research institution.
To address environmental problems in natural and engineering systems, this master’s degree program at Oregon State University teaches fundamental scientific and engineering principles. The management, design, and analytical skills of biological, physical, and chemical processes are strongly acquired by on-campus students.
8. Rice University
Houston, Texas is home to Rice University, a private academic institution. According to the rankings published by US News & World Report, it has constantly been placed among the top 20 institutions in the nation. It offers a wide range of academic programs and a residential college structure that promotes intellectual, emotional, and cultural growth in its students.
For managers, consultants, and engineers who wish to learn more and work in the field of civil and environmental engineering more effectively, this program was created. Students in the environmental engineering course are introduced to technical advancements that lessen the environmental impact of human activity.
9. Syracuse University
In 1870, Syracuse University was established. It is a private, nonprofit university with a wide range of degree programs. More than 200 customizable majors and certificates are offered through its 13 schools and colleges.
Students can learn about research opportunities in environmental chemistry, aquatic chemistry, applied microbiology, hydrology, water resources, and green infrastructure through the 30-credit Master of Science in Environmental Engineering program. The usage of productivity tools to address engineering issues will be taught to students.
10. University of Michigan
One of the first public universities in the nation was the University of Michigan, which was established in 1817. It provides more than 250 top-notch programs in a variety of academic subjects through 19 schools and colleges.
This program offers practical training and opportunities for interaction with knowledgeable teachers on cutting-edge subjects like public health, sustainability, and climate change. Students will learn how to use the natural sciences and engineering principles to address environmental issues.
Ecohydrology, sustainable energy systems, water quality and resources engineering, and water quality process engineering are its four main fields of study.
11. University of North Dakota
In 1883, the University of North Dakota was established. It is Dakota’s largest and oldest university. 13,772 students are enrolled there overall, in both graduate and undergraduate programs. Chemical, civil, and geological engineering expertise are combined in the University of North Dakota’s Master of Environmental Engineering program.
It instructs students on how to sustainably meet the demand for food, energy, and other resources in light of the expanding global population. Students will learn how to create new technologies to lessen the effects of emission sources on the environment.
12. Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA
Students studying environmental engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology can earn a dual BS/MS degree, a Master of Science, or a Ph.D.
Environmental biotechnology, water quality and treatment, hazardous and solid waste engineering, air quality monitoring, and pollution management are just a few of the topics it covers.
13. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh
Students have the option of enrolling in a direct entry Ph.D. program, which enables them to finish an MA and start a Ph.D. program without submitting a new application, greatly accelerating the process of earning a higher degree.
14. Cornell University
Cornell University is located in Ithaca The MS and Ph.D. programs at Cornell University are focused on research, whereas the M.Eng. program is career-focused. Engineers who desire to stay in the technological field but concentrate on administrative positions should apply for this program.
15. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
Working professionals can pursue online or part-time MSE degrees through Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals.
Their programs give working scientists the chance to improve their engineering abilities to address today’s most pressing environmental engineering issues.
16. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Parsons Laboratory for Environmental Science and Engineering is located at MIT, which encourages research on environmental mechanics and coastal engineering, among other subjects. Along with other alternatives for higher degrees and certificates, students have the option of pursuing an MSE.
17. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which was established in 1867, has solidified its position as a top-tier research university. On the list of the top schools in the nation compiled by US News & World Report, it comes in at number 15. For students, it offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate programs.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering offers this Master of Science in Environmental Engineering degree. It expands on the fundamental understanding of scientific and technical principles.
It covers a variety of environmental engineering topics, including water systems, systems ecology, environmental nanotechnology, and sustainable materials management. Students in environmental engineering have a choice of non-thesis or thesis programs.
Regular and dual degree programs in civil and environmental engineering, as well as MBA or MArch programs, are available to students.
Students are trained to solve the problems of air, land, and water pollution through the Environmental Engineering and Science (EE&S) group within CEE at Illinois.
18. The University of Iowa in Iowa City
The Master’s in Engineering and Science program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, which was ranked number 18 for its environmental/environmental health engineering graduate program in 2017, offers students countless opportunities.
19. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
A dynamic MSE program is available through the University of North Carolina. It is a “non-research, public health-oriented terminal degree intended for students interested in careers in environmental engineering practice.”
While some enrolled students will have the option to seek our graduate global health degree, others may decide to take international health courses, complete an internship, or conduct independent research with a global focus.
These colleges all offer MSE programs that are regarded as among the top not just in the US but also worldwide. Other additional graduate institutions across the country have top-notch master’s and doctorate programs in the area that are deserving of consideration.
Conclusion
Explore graduate courses in environmental engineering and universities that provide such degrees. Examine graduate environmental engineering programs against official data and testimonials from graduates. Find the top graduate programs in environmental engineering.
Recommendations
- 5 Environmental Engineering Colleges in Ahmedabad
. - 7 Environmental Engineering Universities in South Africa
. - 5 Environmental Engineering Colleges in Coimbatore
. - 6 Environmental Engineering Colleges in Chennai
. - 10 Environmental Engineering Universities in Canada
. - 10 Environmental Engineering Schools in California
A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking
about this. I will forward this article to him.
Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!