Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 31,503,899	$ 32,218,923	$ 95,330,462	$ 105,192,174
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	10,496,666	11,376,594	33,617,106	37,024,544
Subcontract costs	6,219,573	6,160,917	17,660,823	18,587,985
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	10,206,247	10,766,068	31,244,612	33,107,200
Marketing and related costs	3,446,837	3,337,573	9,949,290	10,381,108
Depreciation and amortization	1,036,010	622,208	3,138,502	1,805,975
Income (loss) from operations	98,566	(44,437)	(279,871)	4,285,362
Interest expense	(31,912)	(64,475)	(126,623)	(249,581)
Interest income	38,938	77,573	125,177	188,685
Other (expense) income	(30,585)	(34,289)	119,075	(20,863)
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	0	63,422	0	63,422
Net foreign exchange loss	(23,971)	(23,737)	(21,481)	(138,526)
Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit)	51,036	(25,943)	(183,723)	4,128,499
Income tax provision (benefit)	57,624	80,732	(48,542)	1,760,936
Net (loss) income	(6,588)	(106,675)	(135,181)	2,367,563
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(316,276)	(333,919)	(591,940)	(654,544)
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ (322,864)	$ (440,594)	$ (727,121)	$ 1,713,019
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.40
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,289,900	4,251,200	4,282,348	4,247,150