2026 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 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools.
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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
University Of Wyoming earned the #1 spot for value among hydrology & water resources science schools in the United States. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $23,700. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #2 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #3 place for hydrology & water resources science. 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, 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. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes Portland State University one of the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $24,125. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $37,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University placed #6 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #7 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University earned the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $22,905 in student loans. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #10 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $23,250. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #11 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $38,617. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #12 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $44,961. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #13 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for hydrology & water resources science value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Western Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $27,981. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #17 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, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $21,896. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Oregon State University came in at #18 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #19 position for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,299 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $31,701. That is a strong return on a $27,299 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #20 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,487. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $42,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #21 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $23,432. 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. Roughly 72% 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $44,585. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
