Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
63
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,223/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,100 openings/yr)
ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 47 Environmental Health Engineering programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Your exploration of Oregon State's Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering program places you among a select group, as this program consistently ranks nationally. This reflects a curriculum deeply aligned with Oregon's emphasis on sustainability and natural resource management, preparing you for roles in a robust regional market. You'll find strong demand from state agencies like the Department of Environmental Quality, numerous environmental consulting firms across the Pacific Northwest, and even tech and manufacturing companies needing compliance expertise. OSU's strong connections ensure a pipeline to these employers, contributing to solid early career outcomes. However, the significant AI risk associated with many engineering tasks means your long-term success hinges on developing skills beyond routine analysis. Focus on mastering project management, regulatory interpretation, and advanced problem-solving that requires nuanced human judgment. Seek out internships that offer leadership opportunities and interdisciplinary team experience, positioning you for those higher-level, less-automatable roles like management or specialized consulting.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Environmental Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $745K $720K $633K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.3x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 63

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,976
Out-of-state: $142,656 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,272
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,214
19% growth from Year 1

About Oregon State University

Oregon State University has a 79% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 29,557 students enrolled in Corvallis, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors $109,660/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Oregon State University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Environmental Engineering at Oregon State University?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Environmental Engineering field.
Will AI replace Environmental Engineering careers?
With 50% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $633,352 in decade earnings vs $744,509 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Oregon State University's Environmental Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 47 programs nationally, Oregon State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →