by our College Data Analytics Team
[Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/meteorology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong meteorology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for meteorology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the meteorology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in meteorology, no school beat Western Illinois University this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in meteorology, landing the #2 spot this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $25,076. Meteorology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #3 place for meteorology. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,900 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $44,270. That is a strong return on a $21,900 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in meteorology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value meteorology schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $51,592. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Iowa State University earned the #6 position for value in meteorology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the meteorology program here. Meteorology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #7 for value in meteorology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $25,120. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $58,402. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #8 position for value in meteorology this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $23,500. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $43,494. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Explore the best-value meteorology schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.