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Water resource specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a water resource specialist. Water resource specialists usually study business, environmental science, or geology. 47% of water resource specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 880 real water resource specialist resumes to see exactly what water resource specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for water resource specialists are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online water resource specialist courses to help get the education required to be a water resource specialist.
There are certain water resource specialist certifications that you should consider. These water resource specialist certifications include Forklift Safety and Inspector and Certified Water Specialist (CWS).
What education do you need to become a water resource specialist?
What degree do you need to be a water resource specialist?
- Bachelor's, 47%
- High School Diploma, 19%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 10%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a water resource specialist?
Most common colleges for water resource specialists
| Water resource specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 14.29% |
| Northland College | 6.49% |
| Colorado State University | 6.49% |
| University of New Mexico | 6.49% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.19% |
Best majors for water resource specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 19.3% |
| 2 | Environmental Science | 12.7% |
| 3 | Geology | 8.1% |
| 4 | Civil Engineering | 7.3% |
| 5 | General Studies | 6.6% |
Best colleges for water resource specialists
The best colleges for water resource specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A water resource specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for water resource specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become water resource specialists.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for water resource specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
2. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...
3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
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5. Education on climate change: water and soil
This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...
6. Our Earth: Its Climate, History, and Processes
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7. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems
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8. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero
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9. Planning with Climate Change in Mind
This course focuses on the climate impacts occurring and expected to occur across the United States. Our approach will be regional and sectoral, with consideration of impacts on water resources, transportation, energy, agriculture, forests, health, and coastal/marine resources. We will also look at how you can apply information about climate risks to motivate climate action in your household, in your community, or in your workplace...
10. Marine Biology
This course is about life in the oceans, from the sunlit surface to the inky depths, from microscopic phytoplankton to the great blue whale. The ocean is among the world’s most inhospitable environments for scientific research, which is why we know as much about the surface of the moon as we do the bottom of the sea. This course uncovers the evolutionary history of marine organisms, adaptations to life in water, the behavior and functional morphology of sea animals, interactions between...
11. Data Center Essentials: Mechanical & Cooling
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12. GREEN HYDROGEN: THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE
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13. Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles
Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. This course examines the diversity, adaptations, convergence, and phylogenetic relationships of extinct marine reptiles. Students will explore three major groups of marine reptiles: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs. Watch a preview of the course here:...
14. Sustainable Cities
This Specialization is intended for individuals and organizations interested in developing skills and strategies to create and support sustainable cities. Through these four courses, you will gain a strong understanding of the tools and concepts needed to succeed in reaching this goal. Successful case studies of smart growth applications will be evaluated and assessed for multiple cities throughout the United States. The concentration will provide students with an introduction to sustainable...
15. Human Resources For Beginners
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16. Pareto Analysis Masterclass: Pareto Specialist (Accredited)
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18. Effective Human Resource Administration
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20. Step-by-Step Learn Wonderware InTouch SCADA (PLC-SCADA-2)
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Top 10 most affordable universities for water resource specialists
The most affordable schools for water resource specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for water resource specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for water resource specialists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for water resource specialists
The hardest universities for water resource specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for water resource specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for water resource specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for water resource specialists
The easiest schools for water resource specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a water resource specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for water resource specialists.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average water resource specialist salary by education level
| Water resource specialist education level | Water resource specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $83,565 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $55,954 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $73,210 |
| Doctorate Degree | $90,336 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $59,427 |
Water resource specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025