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Environmental Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,194/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)

Job Market Medium (23,100 openings/yr)

ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #32 of 47 Environmental Health Engineering programs

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	$679K	$661K	$591K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.9x	18.4x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	5.7x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,976

Out-of-state: $103,800 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,608

-71% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,357

4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,194/yr, roughly in line with the $63,650 national median for Environmental Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Environmental Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Environmental Engineering's typical career paths, with 50% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,194 far exceeding the $24,357 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #32 of 47 Environmental Engineering programs, University of Nevada-Reno falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Nevada-Reno

University of Nevada-Reno accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 15,723 in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 University of Nevada-Reno

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Environmental Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno?

This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Environmental Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $590,783 in decade earnings vs $679,209 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →