2027 Best Value Water Resources Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Water Resources Engineering](/majors/engineering/civil-engineering/water-resources-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value water resources engineering schools.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Michigan Technological University, our #1 best value for water resources engineering in the United States. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $70,928. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University Kingsville one of the best values for water resources engineering. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $24,625. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. 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. Water Resources Engineering graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in water resources engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Water Resources Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $70,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned it the #5 place for water resources engineering. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $54,248. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,085 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $68,288. Set against $24,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey Institute Of Technology admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #7 position for value in water resources engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. 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 $72,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #8 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $70,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo placed #9 among the best values for water resources engineering. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,913 to complete the water resources engineering program here. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Set against $22,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #10 among the best values for water resources engineering. 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, 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 $73,326. That is a strong return on a $25,480 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Auburn University landed the #11 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for water resources engineering graduates is $23,375. 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%.
University Of Southern California came in at #12 for value in water resources engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, water resources engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $8,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value water resources engineering schools. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,462. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $87,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Water Resources Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career water resources engineering graduates make about $71,525. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #15 spot for water resources engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Other Water Resources Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Water Resources Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Water Resources Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
