Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 28,161,661	$ 29,077,272	$ 61,352,312	$ 63,826,563
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	11,038,316	11,651,751	24,264,993	25,199,801
Subcontract costs	5,200,349	4,494,946	10,266,440	9,361,889
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	8,649,554	10,169,122	18,042,550	21,038,365
Marketing and related costs	2,814,593	3,043,838	6,203,233	6,502,453
Depreciation and amortization	401,633	1,048,538	764,362	2,102,492
Income (loss) from operations	57,216	(1,330,923)	1,810,734	(378,437)
Interest income	11,567	42,764	34,606	86,239
Interest expense	(36,631)	(44,937)	(54,872)	(94,711)
Other income	80,143	29,629	77,608	149,660
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	11,700	0	152,085	0
Net foreign exchange gains	61,548	12,916	127,046	2,490
Income (loss) before income tax provision (benefit)	185,543	(1,290,551)	2,147,207	(234,759)
Income tax provision (benefit)	113,462	(646,844)	939,005	(106,166)
Net income (loss)	72,081	(643,707)	1,208,202	(128,593)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(224,412)	(140,941)	(513,373)	(275,664)
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ (152,331)	$ (784,648)	$ 694,829	$ (404,257)
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.16	$ (0.09)
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,288,371	4,290,193	4,288,371	4,278,694