2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 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 Great Lakes Region
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
Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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.
Western Michigan University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. 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. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for hydrology & water resources science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
