Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015	Apr. 30, 2016	May 02, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 25,218,040	$ 30,395,736	$ 79,922,781	$ 91,815,912
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	9,279,146	11,525,978	29,660,230	35,181,937
Subcontract costs	3,887,483	4,818,567	14,212,354	15,694,041
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	8,222,986	8,019,494	23,823,749	26,129,908
Marketing and related costs	2,967,214	2,539,313	8,673,395	8,742,546
Depreciation and amortization	290,151	360,964	872,243	1,125,326
Income from operations	571,060	3,131,420	2,680,810	4,942,154
Interest income	24,868	22,529	58,408	57,135
Interest expense	(52,322)	(42,395)	(107,102)	(97,267)
Gain on insurance settlement	358,565	0	358,565	0
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	(756)	24,539	1,978	176,624
Net foreign exchange (loss) gain	(94,102)	55,825	17,730	182,871
Other income	(18,984)	(8,713)	37,090	68,895
Income before income tax provision	788,329	3,183,205	3,047,479	5,330,412
Income tax provision	653,608	1,280,081	2,937,868	2,219,086
Net income	134,721	1,903,124	109,611	3,111,326
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	39,882	(108,948)	247,763	(622,321)
Net income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ 174,603	$ 1,794,176	$ 357,374	$ 2,489,005
Net income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.42	$ 0.08	$ 0.58
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,290,720	4,287,460	4,290,106	4,288,067