Environmental Engineering Degree Program Guide

Environmental engineers are helping head off climate change, save our soil, reduce water usage, and generally preserve our planet for future generations. A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field can be the key to a career in research, civil design, or water treatment.

If you love math and science, are passionate about the natural world, and enjoy working on a team, you may want to consider pursuing this field.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

In this guide, you can discover what an environmental engineering degree online looks like, which schools offer this program, and what careers you can pursue after graduation.

An online environmental engineering bachelor’s degree offers a comprehensive introduction to sustainable engineering practices. This program focuses on preparing you to address pressing environmental challenges through innovative engineering solutions.

Expect a blend of theoretical coursework and practical applications, possibly with virtual laboratories and simulations. Common courses in the bachelor’s program often cover environmental systems analysis, water resources management, air pollution control, and sustainable design principles.

Pursuing this major takes around four years, though some students might take accelerated programs or part-time options to accommodate other commitments. The average credit load varies, but often ranges from 12 – 15 credits per semester.

In comparison to in-person programs, most online engineering degrees offer greater flexibility, allowing convenient access to lectures and course materials. You’ll still have the chance to engage in group discussions, collaborate on projects, and interact with faculty through virtual platforms.

Environmental engineering graduates can work as environmental consultants, directors, water project managers, green building engineers, or environmental health and safety directors. Many of these professionals serve in federal or state agencies, at engineering firms, or at consulting organizations.

Besides a bachelor’s degree, environmental engineers may need an online master’s in engineering or a professional engineering license. Each state issues its own license and sets its own requirements for achieving licensure.

Most states recognize professional engineering licenses from other states. After licensure, an environmental engineer can earn board certification through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Online environmental engineering degrees have their own unique curriculum. However, you should plan on taking a broad array of natural science coursework along with public policy and engineering courses. Consider the following examples:

Attending an accredited school gives you access to financial aid, industry certifications, and employment opportunities that you may not be able to access if you choose an unaccredited institution.

Accreditation comes in two types — institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditors put their stamp of approval on an entire college or university. Programmatic accreditors only approve a single program.

Environmental engineering programs can hold accreditation from ABET’s engineering accreditation commission. Most environmental science programs, however, likely do not qualify for ABET accreditation.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The following schools offer an online bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering or a related field. These schools are ordered alphabetically and are not ranked according to the quality of their programs.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the cost for undergraduate education is $14,700 at a public institution and $28,400 at a private, nonprofit institution.

Prices vary according to factors such as which state you live in and whether you receive in-state resident rates. You may also need to pay for living expenses while enrolled in school.

Financial aid can help you cover these costs. The U.S. government provides Pell grants, subsidized student loans, military and veterans benefits, and federal work-study programs. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to find out what federal dollars you may qualify to receive. Private organizations such as the American Geophysical Union also offer scholarships.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

A few schools offer environmental engineering degrees online, and many more offer degrees in environmental science. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can also find online master’s degrees in the discipline.

A bachelor’s degree often requires 120 credits, which takes about four years to complete. However, students who already hold an associate degree or who have AP, CLEP, or other transferable credits may be able to accelerate the time to graduation. Enrollees who take full-time course loads in the summer may also shorten their time in school.

According to the BLS, environmental engineers earn a median annual wage of $96,820. Engineers who work for the federal government tend to earn the most while state-employed engineers make the least. Other professionals in environmental science can earn between $45,000 and $120,000 a year.

Like many engineering disciplines, environmental engineering requires a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students pursuing this major will encounter complex technical concepts and principles. If you have a natural aptitude for math and science, enjoy solving problems, and like digging into research and field work, you could flourish in an environmental engineering program.

Environmental engineers and related professionals can earn much higher than average wages and enjoy challenging and rewarding daily work. Becoming an environmental engineer online can help you balance school with other responsibilities. However, it’s crucial to choose an accredited program from a reputable institution and consider your long-term career goals and personal learning style.

Note: The insights on this page were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges.