by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 96 U.S. colleges awarded 1,297 degrees and certificates in Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 60% of graduates. College Factual ranks 33 schools in its 2027 Best Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $40,631 one year after completing, rising to $62,453 after four years.
Are you fascinated by storms and weather? Do you want to learn how to predict climate changes? Consider a degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.
A degree in this field will allow you to study the climate, the gases that make up the atmosphere, and weather. You will take classes in physics, chemistry, meteorology, climatology, computer science, calculus, and other science courses to help you not only predict the weather, but also learn how to improve air quality, reduce pollution, and help find new sources of energy.
Along with the option to major in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, students also have the choice to major in areas of specialization including Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology, Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics, and Meteorology.
Studying Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology involves the study of Atmospheric Sciences And Meteorology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., atmospheric sciences & meteorology draws strong interest, with 1,297 degrees awarded annually. 96 colleges award atmospheric sciences & meteorology degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 79.
By level, the 1,297 awards include 7 associate degrees, 782 bachelor’s degrees, 358 master’s degrees and 150 doctorates.
Women earned 42% of atmospheric sciences & meteorology degrees and certificates in the latest year (546 of 1,297). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (924) and Hispanic or Latino (124), and international students earned 95.
College Factual ranks 33 schools in its 2027 Best Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking, including 27 for bachelor’s degrees, 11 for master’s degrees and 6 for doctorates. It also ranks atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools within 21 states. In all, 96 colleges offer atmospheric sciences & meteorology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common atmospheric sciences & meteorology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 782 of the 1,297 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology 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.
Since you will be required to perform advanced calculations, a strong background in mathematics is necessary for this field. You should be prepared to employ formulas to collect data on the atmosphere, air pressure, and temperature. Critical thinking skills will help you analyze this data and make climate and weather predictions while strong communication skills will allow you to explain your findings and predictions.
Atmospheric Scientists and Meteorologists often work fulltime jobs. However, these jobs don't always have typical work hours. Scientists must be watching the weather 24 hours a day even on weekends and holidays. Professionals often work on a rotating schedule to ensure conditions are constantly monitored. Longer and more irregular hours may occur during times of severe weather.
While a bachelor's degree will allow students to work in the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology field, those who wish to perform research need a master's degree at minimum. An advanced degree will also allow student to find better employment opportunities with better pay and the potential for advancement.
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How long an atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 782 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 358 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 150 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology, at 31.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.7% |
| Master’s degree | 26.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.3% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology, with an average median salary of $102,858; the strongest outlook belongs to Quality Control Analysts, at 12.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and Instructor.
Most Atmospheric and Meteorology graduates work at the many weather stations throughout the country monitoring weather and predicting storms. Other graduates work for the government as part of the National Weather Service or the U.S. Department of Defense. Broadcast Meteorology is another career option. Atmospheric and Meteorology graduates not only predict weather, but are helping protect the environment by finding jobs in private industries interested in improving air quality, reducing pollution, or other environment protection services.
With the field growing at an average pace, graduates should be able to find jobs after graduation, specifically in private industry. Those willing to relocate may have a better chance of landing a well-paying job.
The occupation related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology 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% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | 71,781 | 0.4% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 59,685 | 7.3% |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | 30,427 | -2.2% |
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates earn a median $40,631 one year after completing their program, $62,453 after four years and $61,111 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $40,631 |
| 4 years | $62,453 |
| 5 years | $61,111 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to atmospheric sciences & meteorology 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 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $77,973 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology includes 4 concentrations that together award 1,297 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General (965), Meteorology (276) and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other (45). It has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 47,406 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry (19,861), Physics (13,929) and Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (7,713). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General | 965 |
| Meteorology | 276 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other | 45 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology | 11 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,861 |
| Physics | 13,929 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,713 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,991 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,749 |
| Materials Sciences | 633 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 469 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 61 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
