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. Includes instruction in geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, chemical physics, geomorphology, mathematical modeling, hydrologic analysis, continental water processes, global water balance, and environmental science.
- Schools offering
- 21
- Annual completions
- 48
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $61k
About this major
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.
Examples of specialized tracks: Hydrogeology.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural sciences managers | $161k | +3.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | $101k | +2.6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Hydrologists | $92k | -0.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Hydrologic technicians | $59k | -2.1% | Associate's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$61k
Top colleges for Hydrology and Water Resources Science
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Fort Collins, CO | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Utah State University | Logan, UT | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay, WI | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Saint Cloud State University | Saint Cloud, MN | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
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