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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Master’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,407 Avg Student Debt
$64,949 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Master's Degree Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong hydrology & water resources science education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for hydrology & water resources science students.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

University Of Wyoming earned the #1 spot for value among hydrology & water resources science schools in the United States. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. 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 $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

2

Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. 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. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Nevada Reno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $65,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in hydrology & water resources science will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #5. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $44,825. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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6

Georgia State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $53,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

Oregon State University placed #7 among the best values for hydrology & water resources science. 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. 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. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

8

Boise State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $16,487 to complete the hydrology & water resources science program here. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Rhode Island came in at #10 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

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11

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. 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 $70,539. That is a strong return on a $20,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

12

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $52,064. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

13

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #13 for value in hydrology & water resources science this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $24,521. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $79,523. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

Other Hydrology & Water Resources Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value hydrology & water resources science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Hydrology & Water Resources Science
Associate's Degrees in Hydrology & Water Resources Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Hydrology & Water Resources Science
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View All Hydrology & Water Resources Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 48 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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