Bright outlook
Management
Clinical Research Coordinators
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
CIP40.04
83 colleges offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 83
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $59,759
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $24,292
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 6
- Associate's
- 13
- Bachelor's
- 83
- Master's
- 42
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 1
- Doctoral
- 39
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 5
What it covers
About Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of the atmospheric envelopes surrounding the earth, the effect of earth's atmosphere on terrestrial weather, and related problems of environment and climate. Includes instruction in atmospheric chemistry and physics, atmospheric dynamics, climatology and climate change, weather simulation, weather forecasting, climate modeling and mathematical theory; and studies of specific phenomena such as clouds, weather systems, storms, and precipitation patterns.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 40.04.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 40.04.
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
- Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
- Meteorology
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 6 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Associate's | 13 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 83 | $59,7594 yrs after · 14 colleges | $24,2929 colleges |
| Master's | 42 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 39 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 5 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, FL · Private nonprofit · 14 graduates
$76,421
debt not reported
- 2
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public · 17 graduates
$71,425
debt not reported
- 3
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public · 39 graduates
$67,892
debt $21,456
- 4
Tallahassee, FL · Public · 35 graduates
$66,943
debt not reported
- 5
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK · Public · 43 graduates
$63,104
debt $27,000
- 6
Valparaiso, IN · Private nonprofit · 17 graduates
$60,092
debt $27,000
- 7
Saint Cloud, MN · Public · 13 graduates
$57,108
debt not reported
- 8
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO · Public · 47 graduates
$55,790
debt $17,500
- 9
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public · 39 graduates
$54,593
debt $19,500
- 10
Ames, IA · Public · 20 graduates
$52,786
debt $24,292
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Management
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Science
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Management
Water Resource Specialists
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
Education
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $103,170
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Science
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
- Median pay
- $99,070
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
Science
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
- Median pay
- $62,280
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Associate's degree
Science
Quality Control Analysts
- Median pay
- $62,280
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Associate's degree
- Quality Control Analysis
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
Science
Remote Sensing Technicians
- Median pay
- $62,280
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Associate's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
More in Physical Sciences
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
How many colleges offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at these degree levels: certificate (6 colleges), associate's (13 colleges), bachelor's (83 colleges), master's (42 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (1 college), doctoral (39 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (5 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology earn $59,759 a year four years after finishing, across 14 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates earn the most?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology: $76,421 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.