Environmental Engineering Degree in Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Rancho Cucamonga, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$85K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$124K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Rancho Cucamonga
Cost of Living
130.5
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Rancho Cucamonga, CA Overview
Rancho Cucamonga, California (pop. 177,603) has 7 colleges offering Environmental Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 130.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,770/month. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Rancho Cucamonga is approximately $84,825.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,368/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,696/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
50%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Rancho Cucamonga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rancho Cucamonga's cost of living index of 130.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Rancho Cucamonga adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Rancho Cucamonga
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Rancho Cucamonga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Rancho Cucamonga avg aid: $13,696/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,150
vs HS diploma in Rancho Cucamonga
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rancho Cucamonga
$855,278
Lifetime earnings premium ($978,750) minus total education cost ($123,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Rancho Cucamonga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rancho Cucamonga for Environmental Engineering
Rancho Cucamonga State University
public
$14,832/yr
$59,328 total
University of Rancho Cucamonga
public
$15,603/yr
$62,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rancho Cucamonga Community College
$6,383/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rancho Cucamonga Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$92K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$91K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$84K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$74K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$77K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$73K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$75K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$86K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Rancho Cucamonga
Petroleum Engineering
$65K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$65K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$102K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Rancho Cucamonga — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Environmental Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Rancho Cucamonga.