Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 105,817	$ 126,935	$ 128,427
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	39,512	47,500	49,449
Subcontract costs	18,550	23,327	20,829
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	31,169	35,604	41,464
Marketing and related costs	11,301	11,433	13,016
Depreciation and amortization	1,143	1,467	4,176
Income (loss) from operations	4,142	7,604	(507)
Interest income	83	85	154
Interest expense	(156)	(116)	(150)
Gain on Insurance Settlement	358	0	0
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	(135)	186	13
Net foreign exchange gain (loss)	44	134	(25)
Other income	31	76	68
Income (loss) before income tax provision	4,367	7,969	(447)
Income tax provision	3,759	3,769	343
Net income (loss)	608	4,200	(790)
Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	278	(804)	(593)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ 886	$ 3,396	$ (1,383)
Net income (loss) per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.79	$ (0.32)
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,289,993	4,287,775	4,283,984