by our College Data Analytics Team
[Atmospheric Sciences Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find where atmospheric sciences meteorology graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose atmospheric sciences meteorology graduates go on to earn the most.
Valparaiso University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid atmospheric sciences meteorology graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Students who complete the atmospheric sciences meteorology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,942.
Northern Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying atmospheric sciences meteorology schools. Northern Illinois University is a public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Early-career atmospheric sciences meteorology graduates from Northern Illinois University make a median of around $67,166 per year.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign produces some of the highest-paid graduates in atmospheric sciences meteorology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Students who complete the atmospheric sciences meteorology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,106.
Students chasing top earnings in atmospheric sciences meteorology will find them at Ball State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Students who complete the atmospheric sciences meteorology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,920.
University Of Wisconsin Madison produces some of the highest-paid graduates in atmospheric sciences meteorology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school located in the city of Madison. After graduating, atmospheric sciences meteorology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $36,790 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries atmospheric sciences meteorology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 5 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.