2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools in California
[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 3 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 California
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 California Santa Barbara earned the #1 spot for value among hydrology & water resources science schools in California. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $16,416. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $43,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
