BS Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University

Programme overview

Is the water safe to drink, or is the air safe to breathe? Should we eat the fish we catch or the crops we grow?

Faculty: McCormick School of Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Location: Evanston, IL, United States

What you will study

Accredited by ABET, the program's four-year curriculum provides students with a sound foundation in environmental engineering principals, and the opportunity to integrate other key areas into their coursework, including basic science, social science, humanities, and public policy. Students must complete 48 courses, including required courses in mathematics, engineering, and science; core environmental engineering major courses; and four technical electives that may be used to tailor the program to individual interests.

Career pathways

Comprised of two integrated course sequences, Engineering Analysis and Design Thinking and Communication (DTC) , our innovative first-year curriculum provides students with the fundamentals of a successful engineering education, and lets them experience real engineering early in their undergraduate careers. Supplement your degree with programs that prepare you for the next step in your education and career.

Official programme page

Application information

USD 71,802 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 (full-time $23,934 per quarter, fall/winter/spring); a single rate for all full-time undergraduate degree programmes; excludes room and board, student health, activity and athletics fees and health insurance. Source

Undergraduate terms run fall, winter and spring (quarter system); first-year applicants apply through Early Decision, Regular Decision or QuestBridge.

First-year deadlines for 2026-27: QuestBridge October 1, 2026; Early Decision November 1, 2026 (decisions December 2026); Regular Decision January 4, 2027 (decisions March 2027). Transfer: Early Decision March 1, 2027; Regular Decision April 1, 2027 (priority deadline for Bienen transfer applicants January 4, 2027).

Apply through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir (QuestBridge for QuestBridge applicants). The nonrefundable application fee is $75 or a fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores.

Graduate applications for 2026-27 open September 15, 2026; deadlines vary by programme. The Graduate School application fee is $95 and nonrefundable, paid by credit or debit card.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/apply/

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