2026 Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 114 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for atmospheric sciences & meteorology students.
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2026 Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools
For return on investment in atmospheric sciences & meteorology, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $17,101. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $27,125. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $39,967. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $31,821. Set against $22,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. 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. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #10 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $20,836. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #11 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #13 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $25,508. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $47,130. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama earned the #15 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $26,513. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #18 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,900 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Central Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University came in at #20 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $53,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #21 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, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $22,053. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Suny At Albany placed #22 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota landed the #23 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #24 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $41,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology:
Other Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology rankings across degree levels:
View All Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
