Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016	Jan. 28, 2017	Jan. 30, 2016
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue, net	$ 24,802	$ 24,643	$ 50,407	$ 54,705
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses	9,030	9,097	18,440	19,781
Subcontract costs	5,423	4,730	9,724	10,325
Administrative and indirect operating expenses	7,478	8,233	14,860	16,201
Marketing and related costs	2,344	2,753	5,209	5,706
Depreciation and amortization	282	286	516	583
Income (loss) from operations	245	(456)	1,658	2,109
Interest income	39	22	69	34
Interest expense	(53)	(31)	(81)	(55)
(Loss) gain on sale of assets	(6)	3	3	3
Net foreign exchange (loss) gain	(60)	99	(72)	112
Other income	0	3	7	56
Income (loss) before income tax provision	165	(360)	1,584	2,259
Income tax provision	504	247	1,073	2,284
Net (loss) income	(339)	(607)	511	(25)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	21	126	59	208
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc.	$ (318)	$ (481)	$ 570	$ 183
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.11)	$ 0.13	$ 0.04
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted (in shares)	4,294,102	4,291,212	4,293,417	4,289,800