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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Meteorology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$24,716 Avg Student Debt
$60,938 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Meteorology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Meteorology](/majors/physical-sciences/atmospheric-sciences-meteorology/meteorology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for meteorology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Meteorology Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the meteorology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Meteorology Schools

1

Saint Cloud State University tops our 2026 list of the best value meteorology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $25,076. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for meteorology. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Alabama earned it the #3 place for meteorology. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Typical student debt for meteorology graduates is $26,513. Meteorology graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

4
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #4 place for meteorology. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the meteorology program here. Early-career meteorology graduates make about $50,688. Set against $27,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in meteorology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $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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6

Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value meteorology schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Meteorology graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, meteorology degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for value in meteorology this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the meteorology program here. Meteorology graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $43,494 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

Other Meteorology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Meteorology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Meteorology
Associate's Degrees in Meteorology
Master's Degrees in Meteorology
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View All Meteorology Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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.

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