Environmental Engineeringat Cornell University
Graduates earn $69,558/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Environmental Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $768K; scenarios range from $668K to $798K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cornell University
Cornell’s elite engineering reputation ensures you’re prepared for significant impact in a field critical to our planet's future. This program doesn't just teach technical skills; it cultivates the interdisciplinary thinking needed for complex challenges, from designing resilient infrastructure to managing public health initiatives. You'll find graduates leading projects at major environmental consulting firms, shaping policy within government agencies like the EPA, or driving sustainability initiatives for global corporations. While automation tools are rapidly changing data analysis and routine design tasks, your enduring value will stem from your ability to synthesize information, navigate regulatory landscapes, and lead collaborative problem-solving efforts. To thrive, prioritize internships that offer exposure to project management, policy development, or client-facing roles, enhancing your strategic and communication skills.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Environmental Engineering
How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cornell University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Environmental Engineering at Cornell University
How does Cornell University's Environmental Engineering program score?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Cornell University trails the majority of Environmental Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Environmental Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Environmental Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 50% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Environmental Engineering at Cornell University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $264,056, but the average net cost is $129,348 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.