Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at University of Florida

University of Florida's environmental engineering program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but that positioning masks an important state-level advantage. At $62,480 starting, graduates earn slightly below the national median yet outpace the typical Florida environmental engineer by nearly $1,000—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. Among Florida's seven programs, only Florida International does measurably better.

The debt picture is straightforward: $23,000 matches both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. A graduate earning $62,480 can comfortably handle these loans, especially given UF's strong in-state tuition advantage. The 8% earnings growth to $67,371 by year four suggests steady career progression, though this remains a field where mid-career trajectories matter more than explosive early gains.

For Florida families, this represents solid value—competitive outcomes at an affordable price point for a selective public university. The program won't lead the state in starting salaries, but it delivers reliable results with minimal debt burden. If your child is set on environmental engineering and qualifies for in-state tuition, UF provides a sensible path forward without the financial anxiety that plagues many technical degrees.