by our College Data Analytics Team
[Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/meteorology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for meteorology students.
What’s on this page:
The meteorology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Meteorology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Meteorology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the meteorology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Saint Cloud State University, our #1 best value for meteorology in the United States. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $51,625. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in meteorology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #2. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in meteorology will find it at University Of South Alabama, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the meteorology program here. Meteorology graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value meteorology schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in meteorology will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,900 to complete the meteorology program here. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $44,270. Set against $21,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
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Iowa State University placed #6 among the best values for meteorology. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $53,900. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #7 spot for meteorology value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $43,494. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Miami came in at #8 for value in meteorology this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $17,750. Meteorology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Meteorology. Browse the parent area of study.
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.