Program at a glance
How much does it cost?
Learn more about how to afford a degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.
How long does it take?
This 125 credit program is designed to be completed in four years.
What will I learn in an environmental engineering degree program?
Our program emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to equip students with the fundamental knowledge of engineering and science principles that are used to address emerging environmental issues such as sustainable air, water, and land resources; human health; and environmental restoration.
Graduates are trained to be problem solvers who will develop novel solutions to meet the complex challenges of urban development, pollution minimization, and improving an aging water treatment and supply network.
Undergraduate research
Undergraduate environmental engineering students perform research that will help communities have access to safe and reliable sources of drinking water by removing pollutants and developing more efficient and sustainable methods for its distribution.
What do environmental engineers earn?
The median starting salary for environmental engineers is $65,500.
Senior capstone project
In the College of Engineering, hands-on learning starts on day one. The first engineering class, Engineering 100, will challenge you to work in teams to design a hovercraft capable of traversing across a pre-set course. And in your final class before you graduate, you will work in a team to develop a product that’s ready for the marketplace. Your senior capstone project will be presented to potential employers at the annual Innovation Day. In between, you’ll gain hands-on experience in classrooms and research laboratories, putting your science and mathematical knowledge to work solving engineering problems.
Learn more about the civil and environmental engineering department
For over 120 years, our research programs and institutes have helped Nevada design safe and sustainable communities.
Specializations in the environmental engineering program
Developed in conjunction with industry leaders, the construction management minor is designed to equip students with the skills needed to plan, direct, and coordinate construction activities. Because we work closely with construction companies, our curriculum remains aligned with the industry and students can obtain internships with local companies.
The College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno also offers a civil engineering minor.
The accelerated B.S./M.S. program encourages outstanding students in the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno to obtain a M.S. degree in a shorter amount of time.
The College of Engineering, in partnership with the College of Business, offers a five-year program to earn both the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees.
Environmental engineering students can continue their studies by pursuing an M.S. or a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering.
Take the next step
Careers with a degree in environmental engineering
Median starting salaries of $58,318
Environmental engineers face strong demand for their skills on the job market, nationwide, as concerns about water use, climate change, and pollution are on the rise. With accelerating population growth and limited resources, environmental engineers are taking a more prominent role, with issues surrounding water quality and water availability at the forefront.
An environmental engineering degree prepares you to work in teams with other engineers and scientists in a range of settings, such as the following:
- Private industry
- Engineering consulting firms
- Federal, state, county and city governments
- Public utilities and educational institutions
Current estimates for job growth in the environmental engineering field is a projected job growth of 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, salaries for graduates are competitive, with a 2022 survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers reporting median starting salaries of $58,318 for environmental engineering graduates.
You can afford the University of Nevada, Reno
76% of students receive financial aid
Almost everyone is eligible to receive some kind of aid. We offer need-based and merit-based forms of financial aid to help you afford college.
54% of all students graduate with no debt
That's right. More than half of our students leave the University of Nevada, Reno with no student debt.
Related programs
Life's a journey. Honors makes it meaningful.
At the University of Nevada, Reno Honors College, our students maximize their unique gifts and passions through a series of personalized experiences that deepen their capacity for transformative societal impact.
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