2027 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools
[Hydrology & Water Resources Science](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/hydrology-and-water-resources-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong hydrology & water resources science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for hydrology & water resources science students.
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Finding the Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science School for You
The hydrology & water resources science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in hydrology & water resources science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools
California State University Fresno tops our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $83,116. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #3. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $16,416 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $43,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,298. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Utah State University landed the #8 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #9 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,905 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $33,178. Set against $22,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans earned the #11 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $42,720. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $21,800. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $30,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #13 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Utah landed the #14 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $49,446. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Georgia State University came in at #15 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $46,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #16 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $21,700. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. Set against $21,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #17 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $51,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $41,156. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #19 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #20 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $21,896. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University earned the #21 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $39,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #22 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $42,062. Set against $16,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #23 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $26,028. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $41,158 early in their careers. Set against $26,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $20,837 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $57,562. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #25 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s hydrology & water resources science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
