Best colleges for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northern Illinois University and Western Illinois University award the most Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees and certificates in Illinois: 28, 15 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 4 Illinois colleges offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology and award 58 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program focuses on the study of the Earth's atmosphere and its physical processes. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding weather patterns, climate variability, and…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,026 | 28 | 85% | — | $22,311 |
Colleges awarding the most Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees in Illinois
Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 28 | $41,026 |
| 2 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 3 | Western Illinois University Macomb Public | 10 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 5 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Atmospheric and Space Scientists (SOC 19-2021).
Top skills
What Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (28 graduates a year), Northern Illinois University (15 graduates a year) and Western Illinois University (10 graduates a year) award the most Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 4 Illinois colleges offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.
Which Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $41,026. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Atmospheric and Space Scientists in Illinois is $147,860 (median $112,280), across about 110 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program?+
The Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program focuses on the study of the Earth's atmosphere and its physical processes. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding weather patterns, climate variability, and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, speaking, science, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +0.7% growth with around 700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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