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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$23,436 Avg Student Debt
$73,692 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Master's Degree Badge [Water Resources Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/water-resources-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for water resources engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in water resources engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools

1

For return on investment in water resources engineering, no school beat Missouri University Of Science And Technology this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $27,000. Water Resources Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $82,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in water resources engineering will find it at Texas A And M University Kingsville, which ranked #2. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water resources engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $24,085. Water Resources Engineering graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $68,885 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

5

Michigan Technological University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $78,815. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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6

University Of Delaware came in at #6 for value in water resources engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $54,155. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $71,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

8

Oregon State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $74,081. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #9 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,480 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $79,034. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

10

University At Buffalo landed the #10 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,913 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $55,422. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Southern California came in at #12 for value in water resources engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $91,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

13

Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $63,462. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of Stevens Institute Of Technology earn a median of $87,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

14
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University landed the #14 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $89,030. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.

Other Water Resources Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best-value water resources engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Water Resources Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Water Resources Engineering
Bachelor's Degrees in Water Resources Engineering
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View All Water Resources Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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