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.
- Schools offering
- 2
- Annual completions
- 2
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $86k
About this major
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.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineers | $100k | +5.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Architectural and engineering managers | $168k | +3.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Engineers, all other | $118k | +2.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Engineering teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +8.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Environmental engineers | $104k | +3.9% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$86k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$71k
Bachelor's
$86k
Top colleges for Water Resources Engineering
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central State University | Wilberforce, OH | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
Mechanical Engineering
34,019 completions/yr
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
15,150 completions/yr
Civil Engineering, General
13,367 completions/yr
Computer Engineering, General
9,877 completions/yr
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
8,796 completions/yr
Chemical Engineering
7,412 completions/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
6,825 completions/yr
Engineering, General
5,844 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Water Resources Engineering field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Water Resources Engineering worth it? Read verdict