Environmental Engineering Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$89K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Environmental Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $89,050.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,100
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
3.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$890,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,027,500) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Environmental Engineering
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$108K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$122K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$94K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$79K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$92K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$99K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$94K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$91K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Syracuse
Petroleum Engineering
$69K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$112K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.