by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, general atmospheric sciences and meteorology was the 477th most popular major nationwide with 804 degrees awarded. This 101 less than the prior year, a decrease of 12.6%.
This year's Best General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking compares 36 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom general meteorology rankings further below.
General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience are all required skills for careers related to this major.
general atmospheric sciences and meteorology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional general meteorology certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
General Meteorology degree levels vary. You can get anything from a in general atmospheric sciences and meteorology to the highest general meteorology degree, a . Depending on the general atmospheric sciences and meteorology degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to general meteorology, with approximately 31.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for general meteorology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 33.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 24.8% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.4% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.7% |
Most workers in general meteorology have at least a master's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in general atmospheric sciences and meteorology careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the general meteorology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your general meteorology degree? General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology careers are expected to grow 10.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general atmospheric sciences and meteorology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 11,700 | 12.5% |
As you might expect, salaries for general meteorology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general atmospheric sciences and meteorology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers general meteorology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $95,580 |
With over 146 different general meteorology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased general meteorology school rankings to help you with this.
General Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology is one of 4 different types of Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Meteorology | 283 |
| Other Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 42 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry & Climatology | 9 |
| Atmospheric Physics & Dynamics | 2 |
