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Environmental Engineering

Grainger College of Engineering

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What is Environmental Engineering?

Environmental engineers apply basic principles of science to achieve healthy, prosperous, and equitable communities. They also enhance the ecosystems that support these communities. They use mathematical and computational tools to do this.

Environmental engineers focus on such matters as:

  • Ensuring clean air, safe drinking water, and sanitation for all
  • Designing systems for sustainable environmental resource management
  • Protecting people from natural and human-made hazards
  • Integrating atmospheric science principles with infrastructure planning and design
  • Developing new technologies and infrastructure to mitigate and adapt to climate change
  • Developing new technologies to address emerging challenges to air, water, and land resources
  • Designing sustainable and resilient infrastructure that promote strong communities while protecting the environment

Career Options

  • Public Health Engineer
  • Sustainability Engineer
  • Wastewater Engineer
  • Drinking Water Engineer
  • Water Resources Engineer
  • Energy Auditor
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Health & Safety Specialist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Natural Resource Specialist

Post-Graduation Success1

Insufficient survey data is available for employment information.

Insufficient survey data is available for grad school attendance.

Insufficient survey data is available for average starting annual income.

Sample employer destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample employer destinations.

Sample grad school destinations: Insufficient survey data is available for sample grad school destinations.

Program Resources

Grainger College of Engineering Program Webpage Degree Requirements

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Strong math and science coursework and performance
  • Calculus preferred and physics expected (if available at high school)
  • Strong teamwork and interpersonal communication skills
  • Interest in improving society through engineering
  • Demonstrated understanding of and interest in the engineering major selected

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Guide

Graduation & Retention2

Years to degree: N/A

First-Year retention rate: N/A

Four-year graduation rate: N/A

Six-year graduation rate: N/A

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $17,976
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,222
  • Total: $41,126

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $39,736
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses:$18,562
  • Total: $63,226

International

  • Tuition: $42,868
  • Fees: $4,928
  • Expenses: $18,562
  • Total: $66,358

Related Majors

1 Post-graduate data was collected through the Illini Success initiative, which primarily relies on self-reported survey data sources. Statistics are aggregated from the past three years. Please note that total compensation may be greater than annual salary as other forms of compensation (e.g., signing bonus, commission, benefits) are not included. For more information on Illini Success data and methods, please visit the Illini Success website. For average wage or salary information five years after entry into an occupation, visit the My Next Move website.

2 Graduation and retention data comes from several majors within a similar interest area. Data may not yet be available for newly created programs. Years-to-degree data is only available for programs from which you can earn a degree. Retention and graduation rates are only available for programs that you can apply directly into. Retention rates reflect retention to the university, not necessarily retention within the major.

3 "Expenses" are estimated and include books, supplies, housing, and other living expenses. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you decide to live, the meal plan you choose, and your overall lifestyle. To learn more about costs, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website. To learn the average monthly student loan payment over a period of 20 years based on estimated cost, visit the Illinois College2Career website.

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