Best institutions to study Hydrology and Water Resources Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and subsurface waters, including groundwater.
38 U.S. institutions graduated 206 Hydrology and Water Resources Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0605, a specialization of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06), and leads most directly to the Hydrologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2043).
About Hydrology and Water Resources Science programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and subsurface waters, including groundwater. Includes instruction in geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, chemical physics, geomorphology, mathematical modeling, hydrologic analysis, continental water processes, global water balance, and environmental science.
See also: 14.0805 - Water Resources Engineering., 03.0205 - Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Hydrology and Water Resources Science program focuses on the scientific study of water in its various forms, including its occurrence, circulation, and environmental interactions. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding both surface and subsurface water systems, including groundwater, and the impact of these resources on the environment.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as geophysics, fluid mechanics, and hydrologic analysis. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, mathematics, and scientific methods, equipping students with the skills needed to address complex water resource challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Hydrology and Water Resources Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree90 graduates / yr · 17 institutions44%
- Bachelor's degree47 graduates / yr · 12 institutions23%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship28 graduates / yr · 8 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year24 graduates / yr · 9 institutions12%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate13 graduates / yr · 6 institutions6.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
Hydrology and Water Resources Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 141 |
| 2013 | 166 |
| 2014 | 155 |
| 2015 | 158 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 179 |
| 2018 | 170 |
| 2019 | 209 |
| 2020 | 227 |
| 2021 | 212 |
| 2022 | 224 |
| 2023 | 200 |
| 2024 | 217 |
| 2025 | 206 |
Top 38 institutions for Hydrology and Water Resources Science, 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 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 21 | 85% | — | $44,825 |
| 2 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, COPublicMaster's | 20 | 82% | — | — |
| 3 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 84% | — | $44,585 |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 68% | — | $38,617 |
| 5 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 10 | 61% | — | $39,553 |
| 6 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 86% | — | — |
| 7 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 9 | 86% | — | $43,462 |
| 8 | Texas A&M University - San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 40% | — | — |
| 9 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 58% | — | — |
| 10 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 6 | 88% | — | $41,156 |
| 11 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 70% | — | $39,450 |
| 12 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 59% | — | — |
| 13 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicMaster's | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 14 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor's | 5 | 67% | — | $41,158 |
| 15 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 53% | — | $39,375 |
| 16 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 83% | — | $30,759 |
| 17 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicMaster's | 4 | 60% | — | $31,701 |
| 18 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NMPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 4 | 57% | — | — |
| 19 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicMaster's | 4 | 55% | — | — |
| 20 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 63% | — | $44,961 |
| 21 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 64% | — | — |
| 22 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 4 | 89% | — | $42,062 |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WIPublicBachelor's | 4 | 48% | — | — |
| 24 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicMaster's | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 25 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicBachelor's | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 26 | Blackfeet Community College Browning, MTPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 3 | 62% | $6,463 | — |
| 27 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 53% | — | $37,831 |
| 28 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 65% | — | $49,446 |
| 29 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicMaster's | 2 | 64% | — | $47,352 |
| 30 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster's | 2 | 51% | — | $41,963 |
| 31 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicDoctoral | 2 | 59% | — | $45,758 |
| 33 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 34 | University of New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicMaster's | 1 | 38% | — | — |
| 35 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicMaster's | 1 | 76% | — | — |
| 36 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 56% | — | $34,617 |
| 37 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 73% | — | — |
| 38 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 60% | — | $33,178 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field (CIP 40.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Hydrology and Water Resources Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2043, Hydrologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Hydrology and Water Resources Science program can pursue careers as hydrologists, with a median wage of $92,060. The job outlook indicates little or no change in this field, with approximately 500 annual openings and a typical educational requirement of a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0605
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hydrologistsprimary SOC 19-2043 | $96,600 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~500 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Hydrologic Technicians SOC 19-4044 | $64,790 | -2.1% Decline | ~400 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Hydrology and Water Resources Science 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
- Prepare written and oral reports describing research results, using illustrations, maps, appendices, and other information.
- Design and conduct scientific hydrogeological investigations to ensure that accurate and appropriate information is available for use in water resource management decisions.
- Measure and graph phenomena such as lake levels, stream flows, and changes in water volumes.
- Conduct research and communicate information to promote the conservation and preservation of water resources.
- Coordinate and supervise the work of professional and technical staff, including research assistants, technologists, and technicians.
- Study public water supply issues, including flood and drought risks, water quality, wastewater, and impacts on wetland habitats.
Tools and technology used
Other Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06).
- Geology/CIP 40.0601
Earth Science 5,615 graduates / yr433 institutions - Geological and Earth Sciences/CIP 40.0699
Geosciences 946 graduates / yr87 institutions - OceanographyCIP 40.0607534 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Geophysics and SeismologyCIP 40.0603169 graduates / yr32 institutions
- GeochemistryCIP 40.0602partial data24 graduates / yr8 institutions
- PaleontologyCIP 40.0604partial data21 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Geochemistry and Petrology40.0606
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Hydrology and Water Resources Science.
What skills will I develop?+
You'll develop critical thinking, scientific knowledge, and skills in mathematics and communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a hydrologist, natural sciences manager, or hydrologic technician, among others.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Hydrology and Water Resources Science?+
Hydrology and Water Resources Science is CIP 40.0605 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and environmental interaction of surface and subsurface waters, including groundwater. Includes instruction in geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, chemical physics, geomorphology, mathematical modeling, hydrologic analysis, continental water processes, global water balance, and environmental science.
How many institutions offer Hydrology and Water Resources Science programs?+
38 U.S. institutions reported Hydrology and Water Resources Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 206 credentials in the year. That is 2.7% of all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.
How much do Hydrology and Water Resources Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Hydrologists occupation, which Hydrology and Water Resources Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $96,600 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field report median earnings of $41,158 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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