Environmental Health Engineering at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,558/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Medium (23,100 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #36 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 Health Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $798K $768K $668K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,348
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,176
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,212
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $69,558 per year, Environmental Health Engineering graduates from Cornell University earn slightly above the $63,650 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 2.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 50% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $13,176 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #36 out of 47 programs, Cornell University's financial outcomes for Environmental Health Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $69,558 to $87,212 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Cornell University

With just 8% of applicants admitted, Cornell University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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 Health Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cornell University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cornell University's Environmental Health Engineering program score?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Cornell University trails the majority of Environmental Health Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Environmental Health Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Environmental Health 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 Health 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →