by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 7 U.S. colleges awarded 129 degrees and certificates in Climate Science. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 89% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Climate Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Its 6 related occupations pay an average median salary of $108,506 a year.
A degree in Climate Science explores A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Climate System Of The Earth With Emphasis On The Physical, Dynamical, And Chemical Interactions Of The Atmosphere, Ocean, Land, Ice, And The Terrestrial And Marine Biospheres. Includes Instruction In Biology, Chemistry, Climate Analysis, Climate Change Adaptation/mitigation, Climate Policy, Ecology, Energy Development, Environmental Impacts, Marine Chemistry, Meteorology, And Oceanography.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, climate science is a widely-pursued major, with 129 degrees awarded annually. 7 colleges award climate science degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 106.
By level, the 129 awards include 14 bachelor’s degrees and 115 master’s degrees.
Women earned 72% of climate science degrees and certificates in the latest year (93 of 129). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (48) and Hispanic or Latino (11), and international students earned 42.
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Climate Science Schools ranking, including 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks climate science schools within 2 states. In all, 7 colleges offer climate science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Climate Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common climate science credential is the master’s degree: 115 of the 129 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to climate science call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a climate science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 14 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 115 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to climate science, at 32.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.0% |
| Master’s degree | 26.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Climate Science, with an average median salary of $108,506; the strongest outlook belongs to Geographers, at 10.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager, Research Coordinator and Seismology Teacher.
The occupation related to climate science with the most projected jobs is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 615,002.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 59,685 | 7.3% |
| Geographers | 41,950 | 10.6% |
The highest-paying occupation related to climate science is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $77,973 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
