Best institutions to study Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of the atmospheric envelopes surrounding the earth, the effect of earth's atmosphere on terrestrial weather, and related problems of environment and climate.
70 U.S. institutions graduated 953 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0401, 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 Sciences and Meteorology programs
A general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of the atmospheric envelopes surrounding the earth, the effect of earth's atmosphere on terrestrial weather, and related problems of environment and climate. Includes instruction in atmospheric chemistry and physics, atmospheric dynamics, climatology and climate change, weather simulation, weather forecasting, climate modeling and mathematical theory; and studies of specific phenomena such as clouds, weather systems, storms, and precipitation patterns.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's atmospheric systems, focusing on the composition, behavior, and impact of the atmosphere on weather and climate. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in atmospheric science, weather forecasting, or environmental research.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in atmospheric chemistry, physics, climatology, and weather simulation. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, mathematics, and the use of computer models for weather forecasting and climate analysis.
Credentials awarded
What Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree498 graduates / yr · 49 institutions52%
- Master's degree241 graduates / yr · 32 institutions25%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship136 graduates / yr · 29 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year71 graduates / yr · 3 institutions7.5%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
Graduates over time
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 875 |
| 2013 | 894 |
| 2014 | 888 |
| 2015 | 891 |
| 2016 | 877 |
| 2017 | 810 |
| 2018 | 922 |
| 2019 | 820 |
| 2020 | 898 |
| 2021 | 795 |
| 2022 | 829 |
| 2023 | 943 |
| 2024 | 966 |
| 2025 | 953 |
Top 50 institutions for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 86% | — | $42,595 |
| 2 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | 85% | — | — |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 48 | 34% | — | $42,595 |
| 4 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor's | 44 | 75% | — | $41,430 |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 43 | 84% | — | $41,519 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 90% | — | $36,790 |
| 7 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 41 | 86% | — | $39,967 |
| 8 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 40 | 74% | — | — |
| 9 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 30 | 93% | — | — |
| 10 | University at Albany Albany, NYPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 29 | 61% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 28 | 85% | — | $41,026 |
| 12 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 27 | 89% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 25 | 93% | — | — |
| 14 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 67% | — | — |
| 15 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 21 | 58% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 65% | — | — |
| 17 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 67% | $38,899 | $41,515 |
| 18 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 19 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 18 | 83% | — | — |
| 20 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 16 | 68% | — | — |
| 21 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor's | 15 | 49% | — | — |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 15 | 85% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 90% | — | — |
| 24 | Plymouth State University Plymouth, NHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 52% | — | — |
| 25 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 60% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 12 | 61% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 68% | — | — |
| 28 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 11 | 88% | — | — |
| 29 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 10 | 86% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 64% | — | — |
| 31 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 32 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 69% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 9 | 67% | — | — |
| 34 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 8 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 35 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TXPublicBachelor's | 8 | 40% | — | — |
| 36 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 59% | — | — |
| 37 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 69% | — | — |
| 38 | Western Connecticut State University Danbury, CTPublicBachelor's | 7 | 52% | — | — |
| 39 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 7 | 62% | — | $36,920 |
| 40 | Valparaiso University Valparaiso, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 70% | $20,155 | — |
| 41 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
| 42 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicDoctoral | 7 | 65% | — | — |
| 43 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 44 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 6 | 81% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 54% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 47 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 76% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 49% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 50 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 25% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology field (CIP 40.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 37 states
Where Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates come from. Each state links to all Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2021, Atmospheric and Space Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program can pursue careers as Atmospheric and Space Scientists, with an annual median wage of $97,450. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 700 annual openings and a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0401
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 |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate'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 Sciences and Meteorology 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).
- MeteorologyCIP 40.0404276 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Atmospheric Sciences and MeteorologyCIP 40.0499partial data44 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Atmospheric Chemistry and ClimatologyCIP 40.0402limited data7 graduates / yr2 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Atmospheric and Space Scientist, or in related fields such as weather forecasting and environmental research.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology?+
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology is CIP 40.0401 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 general program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of the atmospheric envelopes surrounding the earth, the effect of earth's atmosphere on terrestrial weather, and related problems of environment and climate. Includes instruction in atmospheric chemistry and physics, atmospheric dynamics, climatology and climate change, weather simulation, weather forecasting, climate modeling and mathematical theory; and studies of specific phenomena such as clouds, weather systems, storms, and precipitation patterns.
How many institutions offer Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs?+
70 U.S. institutions reported Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 37 states, awarding 953 credentials in the year. That is 74.5% of all Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates.
How much do Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Atmospheric and Space Scientists occupation, which Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology most directly leads to, pays a median of $99,070 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology field report median earnings of $41,515 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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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