Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno

With $65,000+ in starting earnings and just $25,000 in debt, University of Nevada-Reno's environmental engineering program delivers a solid financial outcome—but the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these numbers might shift considerably year to year. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is healthy, suggesting graduates can manage their loans while establishing careers. This is Nevada's only environmental engineering program, so comparing in-state options isn't possible, but the earnings track closely with the national median.

The numbers place this program squarely in the middle of the pack nationally—55th percentile for earnings—which isn't spectacular but isn't worrisome either. More encouraging is the relatively low debt burden, landing in the 37th percentile nationally (meaning less debt than most programs). For a field where graduates often pursue careers in environmental consulting, regulatory agencies, or water resources management, starting near $65,000 provides a reasonable foundation.

The real caveat here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, one or two outlier salaries could skew the median significantly. If your child is drawn to this field and wants to stay in Nevada, this program offers a clear path with manageable debt. Just recognize that the financial picture could look different in any given year, and consider reaching out to the department directly about recent graduate outcomes.