2027 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Hydrology & Water Resources Science](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/hydrology-and-water-resources-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools.
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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
For return on investment in hydrology & water resources science, no school beat Portland State University this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,831. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $43,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $16,298 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $41,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #4 place for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $23,700. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $45,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #5 place for hydrology & water resources science. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Utah State University placed #6 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #7 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,905 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #8 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #10 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $30,759. Set against $21,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #11 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #12 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $20,798. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Georgia State University placed #13 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $39,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #15 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 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 University Of Arizona earn a median of $38,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $34,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,487. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Illinois State University came in at #19 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. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University came in at #20 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $15,000. 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.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $26,028 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $41,158. 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 placed #22 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $44,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #23 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Boise State University landed the #24 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $27,299 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $31,701. Set against $27,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama placed #25 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in hydrology & water resources science:
Other Hydrology & Water Resources Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value hydrology & water resources science schools at other degree levels:
View All Hydrology & Water Resources Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
