2026 Best Value Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology Schools

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego tops our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #2 place for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $27,125. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $39,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

3

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Students looking for strong value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #3. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

4

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in atmospheric sciences & meteorology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $22,108 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $31,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

6

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $22,311. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $41,026. That is a strong return on a $22,311 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

11

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University came in at #11 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $25,076. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #12 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $24,673. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #13 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

University Of South Alabama
Mobile, AL

University Of South Alabama placed #15 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & 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. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #16 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $36,790 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

17

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $22,113. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $59,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

18

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #18 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $21,900 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $44,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. 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. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

20

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value atmospheric sciences & meteorology schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,495 to complete the atmospheric sciences & meteorology program here. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $53,900. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, atmospheric sciences & meteorology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

22

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #22 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

23

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota landed the #23 spot for atmospheric sciences & meteorology value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $25,110. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #24 for value in atmospheric sciences & meteorology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates is $18,625. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $41,430 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

25

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #25 among the best values for atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Early-career atmospheric sciences & meteorology graduates make about $51,693. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.