by our College Data Analytics TeamHydrology & Water Resources Science was the 840th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 221 degrees in this year alone. This 10 less than the prior year, a decrease of 4.5%.
Our 2023 Best Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools ranking analyzes 12 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for hydrology and water resources science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of hydrology and water resources science programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to hydrology and water resources science. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most hydrology and water resources science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic hydrology and water resources science program qualifications, to serve in some hydrology and water resources science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different hydrology and water resources science degree levels. You can get anything from a in hydrology and water resources science to the highest hydrology and water resources science degree, a . The time it takes to complete a hydrology and water resources science degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to hydrology and water resources science, with approximately 39.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for hydrology and water resources science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 40.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 31.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 15.4% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.2% |
Most workers in hydrology and water resources science have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in hydrology and water resources science careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the hydrology and water resources science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your hydrology and water resources science degree? Hydrology & Water Resources Science careers are expected to grow 9.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to hydrology and water resources science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Hydrologists | 7,400 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for hydrology and water resources science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for hydrology and water resources science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers hydrology and water resources science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
| Hydrologists | $82,790 |
With over 74 different hydrology and water resources science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased hydrology and water resources science school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Hydrology & Water Resources Science that might interest you.
Hydrology & Water Resources Science is one of 6 different types of Geological & Earth Sciences programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology & Earth Sciences | 6,024 |
| Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 767 |
| Chemical & Physical Oceanography | 508 |
| Geophysics & Seismology | 243 |
| Geochemistry | 49 |
View All Hydrology and Water Resources Science Related Majors >
