Best institutions to study Water Resources Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for collecting, storing, moving, conserving and controlling surface- and groundwater, including water quality control, water cycle management, management of human and industrial water requirements, water delivery, and flood control.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 40 Water Resources Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0805, a specialization of Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08), and leads most directly to the Civil Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2051).
About Water Resources Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for collecting, storing, moving, conserving and controlling surface- and groundwater, including water quality control, water cycle management, management of human and industrial water requirements, water delivery, and flood control.
See also: 40.0605 - Hydrology and Water Resources Science., 03.0205 - Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Water Resources Engineering program, a specialization within Civil Engineering, focuses on the application of mathematical and scientific principles to manage water resources effectively. This program prepares students to design, develop, and evaluate systems for collecting, storing, and controlling surface and groundwater, addressing critical issues such as water quality and flood control.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in design, mathematics, and science, alongside knowledge in engineering technology and environmental regulations. Coursework typically includes topics related to hydraulic systems, water cycle management, and compliance with safety standards.
Credentials awarded
What Water Resources Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree27 graduates / yr · 6 institutions68%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 5 institutions15%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.5%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.0%
Graduates over time
Water Resources Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 91 |
| 2013 | 88 |
| 2014 | 91 |
| 2015 | 80 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 83 |
| 2018 | 89 |
| 2019 | 87 |
| 2020 | 59 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 53 |
| 2025 | 40 |
Top 11 institutions for Water Resources Engineering, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 92% | $33,774 | $71,525 |
| 2 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | $54,248 |
| 3 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 4 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 4 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 70% | — | $70,635 |
| 5 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 3 | 81% | — | $72,783 |
| 6 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 64% | — | $70,664 |
| 7 | Central State University Wilberforce, OHPublicBachelor's | 2 | 23% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 92% | $26,873 | $85,262 |
| 9 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 67% | — | $73,326 |
| 10 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 68% | — | $70,928 |
| 11 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 73% | — | $68,288 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Civil Engineering field (CIP 14.08) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 11 states
Where Water Resources Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Civil Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 14 | Villanova University14 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 7 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus7 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 4 | Tulane University of Louisiana4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 4 | Oregon State University4 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 3 | University of Delaware3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 2 | Missouri University of Science and Technology2 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | Central State University2 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | University of Southern California1 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 1 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins1 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Michigan Technological University1 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | New Jersey Institute of Technology1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2051, Civil Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Water Resources Engineering program can pursue careers as Civil Engineers, Environmental Engineers, and Engineering Managers, among others. The job outlook is favorable, with a growth rate of 5% and approximately 23,600 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $99,590, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0805
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Civil Engineersprimary SOC 17-2051 | $100,840 | +5.0% Faster than average | ~23,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other SOC 17-2199 | $122,930 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~9,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Environmental Engineers SOC 17-2081 | $107,110 | +3.9% About as fast as average | ~3,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Water Resources Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
Tools and technology used
Other Civil Engineering specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08).
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.080119,047 graduates / yr307 institutions
- Structural EngineeringCIP 14.0803385 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Civil EngineeringCIP 14.0899207 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Transportation and Highway EngineeringCIP 14.0804122 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental EngineeringCIP 14.0802partial data19 graduates / yr7 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Post-master's certificate, or a Bachelor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 11 colleges offering the Water Resources Engineering program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, mathematics, and science.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Civil Engineer, Environmental Engineer, or in various engineering management roles.
What is the CIP code for Water Resources Engineering?+
Water Resources Engineering is CIP 14.0805 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Civil Engineering (CIP 14.08). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of systems for collecting, storing, moving, conserving and controlling surface- and groundwater, including water quality control, water cycle management, management of human and industrial water requirements, water delivery, and flood control.
How many institutions offer Water Resources Engineering programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Water Resources Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 40 credentials in the year. That is 0.2% of all Civil Engineering graduates.
How much do Water Resources Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Civil Engineers occupation, which Water Resources Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $100,840 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Civil Engineering field report median earnings of $70,928 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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