Best institutions to study Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of atmospheric constituents, reactions, measurement techniques, and processes in predictive, current, and historical contexts.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 7 Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0402, a specialization of Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (CIP 40.04), and leads most directly to the Atmospheric and Space Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2021).
About Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of atmospheric constituents, reactions, measurement techniques, and processes in predictive, current, and historical contexts. Includes instruction in climate modeling, gases and aerosols, trace gases, aqueous phase chemistry, sinks, transport mechanisms, computer measurement, climate variability, paleoclimatology, climate diagnosis, numerical modeling and data analysis, ionization, recombination, photoemission, and plasma chemistry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology program focuses on the scientific study of the atmosphere, including its constituents, reactions, and measurement techniques. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding climate modeling, climate variability, and the processes that influence weather and climate over time. It falls under the broader field of Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.
Students in this program will gain core skills in mathematics, physics, and data analysis, as well as knowledge in climate modeling, trace gases, and atmospheric processes. Coursework will emphasize critical thinking, active learning, and the use of computer models for weather forecasting.
Credentials awarded
What Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions100%
Graduates over time
Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top 2 institutions for Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 85% | — |
| 2 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 67% | — |
Offered in 2 states
Where Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology graduates come from. Each state links to all Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | 6 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus6 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 1 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2021, Atmospheric and Space Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology program typically pursue careers as Atmospheric and Space Scientists, with additional opportunities as Natural Sciences Managers or educators in related fields. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with around 700 annual openings and a median wage of $97,450 for those holding a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0402
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Atmospheric and Space Scientistsprimary SOC 19-2021 | $99,070 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~700 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.
- Interpret data, reports, maps, photographs, or charts to predict long- or short-range weather conditions, using computer models and knowledge of climate theory, physics, and mathematics.
- Conduct meteorological research into the processes or determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather, or climate.
- Formulate predictions by interpreting environmental data, such as meteorological, atmospheric, oceanic, paleoclimate, climate, or related information.
- Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.
- Prepare forecasts or briefings to meet the needs of industry, business, government, or other groups.
Tools and technology used
Other Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (CIP 40.04).
- Atmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyCIP 40.0401953 graduates / yr70 institutions
- MeteorologyCIP 40.0404276 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Atmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyCIP 40.0499partial data44 graduates / yr8 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics40.0403
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You will earn a Bachelor's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, mathematics, and science.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Atmospheric and Space Scientist, Natural Sciences Manager, or educator in the field.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change with approximately 700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology?+
Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology is CIP 40.0402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (CIP 40.04). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of atmospheric constituents, reactions, measurement techniques, and processes in predictive, current, and historical contexts. Includes instruction in climate modeling, gases and aerosols, trace gases, aqueous phase chemistry, sinks, transport mechanisms, computer measurement, climate variability, paleoclimatology, climate diagnosis, numerical modeling and data analysis, ionization, recombination, photoemission, and plasma chemistry.
How many institutions offer Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 7 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates.
How much do Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Atmospheric and Space Scientists occupation, which Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology most directly leads to, pays a median of $99,070 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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