Consolidated Statemets of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010
Consolidated Statemets of Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 42,311,806	$ 42,026,371
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	15,577,703	16,237,321
Subcontract costs	9,112,140	7,082,711
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	11,199,254	10,385,218
Marketing and related costs	3,942,280	3,878,768
Depreciation and amortization	440,837	433,884
Income from operations	2,039,592	4,008,469
Interest expense	(80,300)	(81,819)
Interest income	11,682	26,191
Other income (expense)	109,278	6,430
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	3,332	(18,407)
Income before income tax provision	2,083,584	3,940,864
Income tax provision	678,317	1,466,495
Net income	1,405,267	2,474,369
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(245,490)	(615,794)
Net income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ 1,159,777	$ 1,858,575
Net income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.44
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,203,445	4,202,417