Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 25,605	$ 30,062
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	9,410	10,684
Subcontract costs	4,301	5,595
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	7,382	7,967
Marketing and related costs	2,865	2,953
Depreciation and amortization	234	296
Income from operations	1,413	2,567
Interest income	30	11
Interest expense	(28)	(24)
Gain on sale of assets and investment securities	9	0
Net foreign exchange gain	(12)	13
Other income	7	53
Income before income tax provision	1,419	2,620
Income tax provision	569	2,037
Net income	850	583
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	38	81
Net income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ 888	$ 664
Net income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.15
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,292,733	4,288,404