2026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools.
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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. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2026 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
For return on investment in hydrology & water resources science, no school beat University Of Wyoming this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,298. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $41,963. That is a strong return on a $16,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Portland State University earned the #6 position for value in hydrology & water resources science 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, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,831. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #7 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. 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, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $30,759. Set against $21,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #8 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. 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.
Washington State University earned the #9 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #10 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $51,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
East Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $44,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $44,825. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #14 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $46,337 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. 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, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Western Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Boise State University earned the #19 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $27,299 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #20 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. 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. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. That is a strong return on a $16,487 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island placed #21 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #22 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $20,837. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $57,562. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #23 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #24 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $79,523. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #25 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,155. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
