[Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for atmospheric sciences & meteorology students.
Finding the Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology School for You
The atmospheric sciences & meteorology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best value for a degree in atmospheric sciences & meteorology in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $39,967. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $19,137. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Western Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $22,311. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $41,026. Set against $22,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology 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 atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $25,076. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #13 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $21,900. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $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 ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Utah landed the #15 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #16 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Suny At Albany placed #17 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #19 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $36,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #20 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #22 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,496 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #23 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $26,062. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $61,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,062 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #24 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $41,430. That is a strong return on a $18,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #25 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,693. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
