Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 29,077,272	$ 36,151,483	$ 63,826,563	$ 72,973,251
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	10,551,698	12,339,950	23,120,440	25,647,950
Subcontract costs	5,594,999	5,411,710	11,441,250	12,427,068
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	10,169,122	11,274,618	21,038,365	22,341,132
Marketing and related costs	3,043,838	3,169,380	6,502,453	7,043,535
Depreciation and amortization	1,048,538	600,479	2,102,492	1,183,767
(Loss) income from operations	(1,330,923)	3,355,346	(378,437)	4,329,799
Interest expense	(44,937)	(101,356)	(94,711)	(185,106)
Interest income	42,764	52,692	86,239	111,112
Other income	29,629	19,668	149,660	13,426
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	12,916	(69,619)	2,490	(114,789)
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision	(1,290,551)	3,256,731	(234,759)	4,154,442
Income tax (benefit) provision	(646,844)	1,325,589	(106,166)	1,680,204
Net (loss) income	(643,707)	1,931,142	(128,593)	2,474,238
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(140,941)	(20,056)	(275,664)	(320,625)
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ (784,648)	$ 1,911,086	$ (404,257)	$ 2,153,613
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.45	$ (0.09)	$ 0.51
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,290,193	4,246,371	4,278,694	4,245,191