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2027 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
$23,674 Avg Student Debt
$74,003 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Badge [Water Resources Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/water-resources-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for water resources engineering students.

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Finding the Best Value Water Resources Engineering School for You

The water resources engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

See how we build our rankings

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Bachelor's Degrees in Water Resources Engineering
Master's Degrees in Water Resources Engineering

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

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2027 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the water resources engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Water Resources Engineering Schools

1

Leading the list is Michigan Technological University, our #1 best value for water resources engineering in the United States. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, 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 $74,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Kingsville one of the best values for water resources engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #4 place for water resources engineering. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Missouri University Of Science And Technology generally make around $76,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of New Mexico Main Campus one of the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $20,500. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $62,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

6

New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in water resources engineering this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $24,085. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $78,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Delaware placed #7 among the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $70,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

8

Oregon State University placed #8 among the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $72,358 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9

University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for value in water resources engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,913 in student loans. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #10 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $25,480. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $76,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

11
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #11 among the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

12

University Of Southern California landed the #12 spot for water resources engineering value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $8,125. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $88,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

13

Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $27,000. 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. Stevens Institute Of Technology admits about 48% of applicants.

14
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $80,278. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

15

Loyola Marymount University landed the #15 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $52,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

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Water Resources Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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