2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the hydrology & water resources science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Hydrology & Water Resources Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Wyoming, our #1 best value for hydrology & water resources science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, hydrology & water resources science degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #2 makes Utah State University one of the best values for hydrology & water resources science. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. 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.
University Of Utah came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value hydrology & water resources science schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, 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. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boise State University earned it the #4 place for hydrology & water resources science. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for hydrology & water resources science graduates is $27,299. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Colorado School Of Mines is a great value for students pursuing a degree in hydrology & water resources science, landing the #5 spot 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, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Hydrology & Water Resources Science graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Early-career hydrology & water resources science graduates make about $79,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 9 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.
