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What is Meteorology?

Meteorology is a field of study focused on the Earth’s atmosphere, how other systems affect the atmosphere, and the atmospheric effects on other systems.  Meteorology is a discipline within the domain of atmospheric science that includes atmospheric physics and atmospheric chemistry emphasizing weather forecasting of hour-to-hour changes in the troposphere and lower stratosphere.  Other popular disciplines within atmospheric sciences include aeronomy, climatology, planetary science, and atmospheric dynamics.

The curriculum within a meteorology degree program will often include: global climate change, major environmental trends, oceans, air quality, atmospheric thermodynamics, continent meteorology, physics, chemistry, math, synoptic meteorology, the atmosphere, the upper atmosphere, biometeorology, micrometeorology, weather instrumentation, weather analysis, extreme weather analysis, and weather forecasting.

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Meteorology Degree

Princeton University's Oceanic and Atmospheric Science degree offers a graduate study under the sponsorship of the Department of Geoscience. The program emphasizes theoretical studies and numeric model studies of the global climate system. Offering activities in physical and chemical oceanography, paleoclimatology, and atmospheric sciences. Providing a comprehensive program of courses and seminars. The flexible graduate program offers students opportunities for research and courses in a wide range of disciplines.

Acceptance Rate

5.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) provide knowledge of the turbulent oceans and atmosphere, the inaccessible depths of the inner Earth, distant planets, and the origins of life. The program is known for its emphasis on academic rigor, hands-on training, collaboration, and the cross-fertilization of ideas. The department prepares undergraduate and graduate students to be future leaders in academia, government, and industry. Through fieldwork, theory, experimentation, and modeling, they seek to advance their understanding of the natural world.

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Cornell University's top ranked Atmospheric Science Department is a premier research and teaching institution in the science of weather and climate. The program features small classes and a high ratio of faculty to students. The undergraduate Atmospheric Science curriculum is designed with the basic curriculum that meets the guidelines of the American Meteorology Society (AMS) and the requirements for employment in meteorology with the National Weather Service (NWS). Students are well-prepared for graduate school, and typically add additional mathematics, physics, and atmospheric science courses to the basic curriculum. They develop a fundamental understanding of atmospheric processes and acquire skills, and experience in the analysis, interpretation, and forecasting of meteorological events.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of California-Los Angeles' Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences offers three bachelor of science programs, the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) major, the Climate Sciences major, and the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences/Mathematics Major. The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences major is a very flexible program leading to a wide variety of career options, including graduate study in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. Climate Science major will provide the scientific training that empowers students to be part of the solution. The AOS/Math major is designed to be efficient to a double major and provide particularly good preparation for advanced study.

Acceptance Rate

12.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of California-Berkeley's Atmospheric Science major explores the fundamental natural processes controlling atmospheric composition, circulation dynamics, and climate. Students understand how these processes have changed in the past and may change in the future are among the greatest intellectual and technological challenges of our time. The program covers the physics of climate variability and climate change, change in stratospheric ozone, coupling atmospheric chemistry and climate, just to name a few. The department highly encourages its students to see the student services advisor as early as possible. 

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Climate and Meteorology or Space Science and Engineering programs provide students with research opportunities providing foundations for scientific methodology and technology development. Graduates from the program understand the Earth's climate and weather and are prepared to apply their knowledge to solve complex environmental and societal problems. They are more focused on Meteorology and gain computational and theoretical skills to understand and analyze meteorological phenomena from weather systems to micrometeorological processes. The space sciences program allows students to develop their quantitative, theoretical, and computational skills necessary to understand the Sun, Earth, and space system.

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

New York University's Ph.D. in Atmospheric Ocean Science and Mathematics has a goal to train mathematically talented students in the tools of modern applied mathematics and disciplinary atmosphere-ocean science. They are committed to the education and training of their graduate students. The program seeks to be a significant channel for the recruitment and training of excellent studies into the important and highly interdisciplinary fields. The Courant Institute at New York University has a world-leading reputation in applied mathematics and scientific computation and the placement of the Center within the Courant Institute.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of California-Davis' Atmospheric Sciences degree conforms to the national accreditation set by the National Weather Service and the American Meteorological Society. Offering full program study leading to Bachelors (B.S.), Masters (M.S.), and Doctoral (Ph.D.). The programs offer excellent opportunities for students. Small class sizes foster student-instructor interaction. Students can pursue topics in observations, instrumentation, theory, modeling, and computation.

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

The University of Maryland-College Park's Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science undergraduate major is designed to teach broad-based knowledge in meteorology, oceanography, climate, and air pollution. Offering small class sizes, outstanding teachers and mentors, and an active student organization. Their MS/Ph.D. ranks among the top 10 oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and meteorology programs by the National Research Council and higher than any other institution on the East Coast. Their Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is designed for meteorologists, oceanographers, and environmental scientists who need cutting-edge skills and knowledge in atmospheric and oceanic sciences, in the computational methods used in the field, and air quality science.

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Georgia's Atmospheric Science major offers a new undergraduate major in Atmospheric Sciences. The program meets the federal civil service requirements for employment as a meteorologist and the American Meteorological Society. The undergraduate major can easily be completed with a double major in Geography. Graduates now work in several fields, including operational meteorology, broadcast meteorology, environmental consulting, emergency management, and the energy industry.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The University of Miami's Meteorology degree program provides students the study of the atmosphere, including climate and climate variability, weather forecasting, cloud and precipitation physics, tropical dynamics, severe weather, and hurricanes. The curriculum emphasizes math and physics basics, providing a strong foundation for an intensive study of meteorology. Conforming to the recommendations of the American Meteorological Society. Preparing students for graduate school and jobs in industry and government. Students often combine Meteorology with a second major in such diverse fields as Mathematics, Marine Science, or Broadcast Journalism.

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Florida State University's Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science graduate students learns theory and practice in the classroom and through research with the faculty whose expertise spans diverse areas of atmospheric science. Faculty members and graduate students in the department are involved in research in many areas. Graduate students develop connections on campus with the National Weather Service regional forecast office, the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Predictions Studies (COAPS), and the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute (GFDI). They offer two meteorology graduate degree programs an M.S. and a Ph.D.

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Ohio State University's degree in Atmospheric Sciences integrates with many other departments and centers on campus to provide a wider perspective on the effects of the atmosphere. The program offers studies in a wide variety of climate and weather-related areas. They offer a major, minor, and graduate program in the field. Students learn deeper insights on Meteorological Instrumentation, Weather and Climate Modeling, Paleoclimatology, Global Climate Change, Severe Weather, Glaciers and Water Resources, Ice and Climate, Tropical Climatology, and Hurricanes.

Acceptance Rate

53.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Whitman College's Geology provides students the study of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the earth from its conception to the present day. The institution offers a major in geology, geology combines with environmental studies, geology combines with physics, geology combined with biology, geology combined with chemistry, and geology combined with astronomy. Whitman College offers a great variety of courses in geology, all of which have fascinating field trips and fully equipped laboratories. The program explores the physical, chemical, and biological evolution of the earth from its conception to the present day.

Acceptance Rate

55.92

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Washington-Seattle Campus' Department of Atmospheric Sciences seeks to educate undergraduate and graduate students. Their undergraduate program provides strong preparation in the basic physical sciences and mathematics. Their graduate students go on to distinguished careers in research laboratories, private enterprises, and universities. The institution is proud of the continued excellence of the teaching and research of its faculty, and the many accomplishments of its students and alumni.

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

North Carolina State University at Raleigh's top ranked degree in Meteorology provides students training in core areas of atmospheric science while pursuing a wider, well-rounded undergraduate education. Their curriculum closely follows the guidelines set by the American Meteorological Society. The program emphasizes a strong background in physical sciences and mathematics. Students benefit from a low faculty-to-student ratio, research and internship opportunities, and participation in student groups and clubs.

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences is the designated center for marine sciences and a leader in marine, atmospheric and sustainability research, education, and public service. Their research explores solutions to a variety of issues facing the world today ranging from local problems affecting the area around Long Island to processes that are impacting the entire globe. The location of the institution allows its students and faculty to explore and study a variety of habitats ranging from the open ocean to the largest metropolitan area in the United State. The School's core mission, principles, and values provide a guidepost as the program navigates a world in which trends in scientific knowledge.       

Acceptance Rate

44.15

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Science and Letters Curriculum in Atmospheric Science prepares students for careers in a wide range of disciplines within the atmospheric sciences. The curriculum is designed to achieve the student's long-term educational goals, career aspirations in atmospheric science, and general interests in the field. All students receive a firm foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and develop data analysis, and computational skills. Students can emphasize specific areas of interest in their elective choices. They have opportunities for employment within agencies of government, many private firms, and in colleges and universities for those who continue with graduate education.

Acceptance Rate

59.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Texas A&M University's top rated degree in Atmospheric Sciences undergraduate students receive the Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. Students may obtain a minor in Meteorology by taking a minimum of 16 hours in Atmospheric Sciences or upper-division Geoscience courses. GEOS courses may comprise no more than 6 of these hours, with the remainder being ATMO. Students interested in pursuing the minor are encouraged to meet the department's academic advisor to help identify appropriate courses.

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Saint Louis University's Meteorology major provides students the study of characteristics, structures, and processes of the atmosphere. The curriculum emphasizes theory and practical application in fundamental and innovative aspects of the atmospheric sciences. Students develop effective relationships with their instructors since the classes are relatively small. Their personalized instruction stimulates academic interest and professional dedication among students, which is further strengthened by the institution's Jesuit tradition of education.

Acceptance Rate

58.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Purdue University's Atmospheric Science/Meteorology program is the department where students study severe storms, climate change, and environmental impacts. They gain valuable hands-on experience and have the opportunity to participate in research, from severe weather forecasting to analyzing global changes over time. Providing graduates with the skills and knowledge to enter the work-force in specialties. Areas such as weather forecasting, climate modeling, and air pollution, as well as to further their education by pursuing graduate degrees.

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

SUNY College at Oneonta's major in Meteorology provides undergraduates research opportunities, a variety of climate courses, and small class sizes. Students learn skills for working and competing in the atmospheric science field, understanding severe weather complexity, the math weather models, remote sensing, climate change, synoptic forecasting, and more. They have the chance to collaborate with professors on individual or group projects that pique their interests. Graduates go on to the nation's top graduate schools, get jobs in government agencies, or work with private forecasting companies and TV stations.

Acceptance Rate

56.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Howard University's graduate degree in Atmospheric Science is an advanced degree-granting interdisciplinary program. It is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Physics, and Astronomy. Dedicated to preparing students from traditionally underrepresented groups for a leadership career in atmospheric science and related fields. Their faculty are recognized experts in mesoscale meteorology, climate modeling, air quality modeling and field observations, atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, and mechanical engineering.

Acceptance Rate

36.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

SUNY College at Oswego's Meteorology degree provides students the study of the atmosphere and its physical and chemical characteristics and processes, weather patterns, and climate. Offering specialized study in different subsections of meteorology, atmospheric, and cloud physics, climatology, instruments, and air pollution. Participate in their pioneering Storm Chasers summer programs where you'll forecast, pursue and observe extreme weather through the Great Plains states. Students have abundant opportunities to engage in hands-on research with faculty through the Lake-Effect Storm Predictions and Research Center.

Acceptance Rate

54.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The University of Delaware's Meteorology and Climatology degree provides students the knowledge on how to answer questions about weather and climate that are increasingly relevant. Students receive training in meteorology, the science of the atmosphere, that will help them understand and address events that are felt throughout various sectors of society. Study the climate, which is usually considered to be an average of weather conditions over a long time. The skills they develop in weather and climate predictions are essential skills used in the agricultural, tourism, disaster management, resource management, communication, and renewable energy industries.

Acceptance Rate

71.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Difference Between Atmospheric Science & Meteorology

The basic difference between atmospheric science and meteorology is the scope of study. While both disciplines focus on the study of atmospheric phenomena, meteorology is a subset of atmospheric science. The umbrella term atmospheric science can include a variety of disciplines such as meteorology as well as climatology, atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, and aeronomy.

Meteorology is the short-term analysis of behavior of the atmosphere often associated with weather forecasting with significance in energy, oceanic, agricultural, hydrological, and environmental sciences. The analysis of weather can range from granular trends to regional changes to global phenomena. Elements of observable phenomena in meteorology include air pressure, mass flow, water vapor, temperature, and variations of each variable in relation to the others.

Online Meteorology Degree Program

While each college and university will have their own unique bent on the area of study, most meteorology degree programs cluster around a series of common learning objectives. The following represents the major areas of study students can expect in this exciting area of study:

  • Analysis, prediction, and modeling of the atmospheric phenomena with an emphasis on those affecting human safety
  • Theoretical, computational, and observational processes related to radiation transmission through the earths atmosphere
  • Study of clouds, trace gases, and particulates in the air with a focus on quality of life and health concerns
  • Climate and weather studies that include a combination of convective systems, boundary layer physics, severe storms, and turbulence
  • Assessing weather risk to aid in environmental, agricultural, oceanic, and energy resource management

Affordable Weather Degree & Graduate Degrees

Several accredited colleges and universities in the United States offer meteorology degree program along with credentials in atmospheric science.  From undergraduate programs to graduate degrees, prospective students will have the opportunity to learn about many degree types on this resource portal.  Below you will find an overview of the meteorology degree points and schools offering programs in the field of study.  For example, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University will typically require students to hold a strong GPA to be considered for admissions.  Earning an affordable meteorology degree depends on if the school is a public research university with degree options meteorology.  To learn more, simply connect with any number of accredited colleges as you work towards determining the best degree program for you.

Bachelor Degree in Meteorology

Bachelor’s degrees in meteorology and atmospheric science are conferred as a Bachelor of Science (BS).  Degree options bachelor typically take 4-years to complete at this level.  The curricular design includes melding liberal arts education courses such as communications, history, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and creative writing with core classes.   The blend of general education with science-rich classes is designed to help provide critical thinking skills and a well-rounded education.

Core classes will vary from school to school but will be heavy weighted towards physical sciences and mathematics.  Areas of emphasis in a bachelor’s degree program can include weather prediction, weather analysis, weather forecasting, radar meteorology, weather instrumentation, atmospheric measurements, atmospheric diffusion, air quality, air pollution chemistry, dynamic meteorology, climate, weather risk, remote sensing, and tropical meteorology.

Master Degree in Meteorology

On-site or online meteorology master degrees are a 2-3 year program dependent upon the course design coupled with course load taken by each graduate student.  Graduate degrees at this level are conferred as a Master of Science (MS) at most colleges and universities.  Most graduate schools online colleges will allow students to select coursework that interests them most making each program different from the next.  Generally, graduate programs include the analysis of:

  1. Atmospheric processes from the planetary boundary to the stratosphere
  2. Phenomena in the atmosphere ranging from planetary to molecular
  3. Theoretical and practical atmospheric theories
  4. Data gathered via computation, analysis, and observation

Thesis projects at the master’s degree level are vast focused on a varied of practical and theoretical studies.  Students will work with closely with their academic advisor to help expand the body of knowledge in a variety of associated disciplines.  Adjacent areas of study can include climate dynamics, pollution control, biometeorology, carbon cycling, enhanced weather forecasting, integrated ocean-atmospheric studies, fluid dynamics, and regional assessments.

Doctorate Degree in Meteorology

Doctoral degrees in meteorology and atmospheric science is known as a terminal degree. Terminal degrees are, by definition, the last degree conferred in a field of study.  Doctoral degrees in the meteorology and/or atmospheric science field of study are conferred as a PhD.  A PhD degree in atmospheric science or meteorology is a research-intensive degree that prepares students for careers in research organizations or teaching positions at colleges & universities.

Graduate students looking to enter a PhD program will typically need to successfully pass a competency examination and meet the program’s qualifications.  The bulk of a doctoral program will include the creation, research, and planning involved with a dissertation project.  A dissertation prospectus will often be required by universities to help understand the scope of the project before moving into the candidacy phase of the doctorate program.  Final dissertation projects are submit to an approved committee a month or two prior to the formal defense phase given both adequate time to prepare for the presentation.  Dissertations are intended to substantially extend the body of knowledge in the field as technology and computational power coalesce to provide unique opportunities for professional growth in meteorology.

Educational Requirements in Atmospheric Sciences

In terms of educational requirements, Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degree holders will have typically studied the following courses while in college:

Online Colleges Offering Degrees in Meteorology

Employment Information & Meteorology Careers

For students that earn a college degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue.  The options range from chemist, materials scientist, computer programmer, environmental scientist, geoscientist, mathematician, hydrologist, physicist, postsecondary teacher, and astronomer in the public or private domain to name a few possible career tracks.

Where Does an Meteorologist Work?

An atmospheric scientist and meteorologist have numerous career opportunities in the public and private sector after earning a degree.   Graduating meteorologists are prepared for professional employment with industry, private consulting firms, government agencies, media outlets, and the armed forces.  Students seeking to work for high-level research facilities or universities, a graduate degree will be required to enter this field.

Historically, the United States government is the largest employer of meteorologists.  Government entities needing the skills of trained meteorologists include: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), Armed Forces (DOD), Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Climate Prediction Center (CPC), Hurricane Research Division (HRD), National Severe Storms Lab (NSSL), and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).

Meteorologist Salary & Career Outlook

The job growth in the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology domain are at and above average. For example, the rate of job growth for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology is expected to rise 9% through 2024 and for postsecondary teachers a 13% growth rate is expected during the same period. Given the broad nature of the Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location. Related fields include training, research, policy, field work, managing, leading, and directing.

How much a meteorologist makes a year depends on the company they work for along with the geographic location and experience required. The median annual income for an atmospheric scientist is $92,460. The top 10% make an average of $140,830 a year with the bottom ten percent earning $51,480 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Top Paying States for Meteorologists

  1. Maryland $107,710
  2. New Jersey $104,780
  3. Oklahoma $103,850
  4. Hawaii $103,300
  5. New Mexico $102,850

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