Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at Utah State University

With only one environmental engineering program in Utah and limited enrollment data, families must rely on national benchmarks to assess this investment. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates typically earn around $65,000 in their first year—a solid starting salary for an engineering degree—while carrying roughly $22,000 in debt. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning the entire debt load represents about four months of that first-year salary. For engineering credentials, this suggests manageable repayment even on an entry-level income.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Utah State's 94% admission rate and modest test scores indicate it's not competing with Utah's flagship program or elite engineering schools nationally. While the national median provides a useful reference point, actual outcomes at this specific campus could vary considerably depending on factors like local industry connections, internship pipelines, and curriculum strength. Engineering programs can produce vastly different results even within the same state, and without reported data from Utah State's own graduates, you're essentially betting on whether this particular program performs at the national average or falls short.

The debt load appears reasonable, but confirm what financial aid your student would actually receive before assuming that $22,000 figure applies to you. If Utah State can deliver outcomes close to the national median—and if your student is genuinely committed to environmental engineering—the numbers work. Just recognize you're making this decision with less certainty than you'd have at programs with verified track records.