Skip to main content

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Florida State University delivers remarkable value in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology with a net cost of $10,997 and graduates earning $39,009 annually, making it one of the strongest return-on-investment programs in the field. The 83% graduation rate stands out dramatically against other affordable options, where several Ohio University regional campuses show graduation rates below 20%. This performance gap reveals significant differences in program completion and career preparation across budget-friendly meteorology programs. The National Weather Service employs thousands of meteorologists across regional forecast offices, with Florida's location providing access to hurricane research opportunities and tropical meteorology specializations. CUNY City College offers the lowest net cost at $3,486, though students should consider that graduation rates vary widely among these 15 affordable programs. Western Illinois University graduates earn $25,194 on average, showing that even budget programs can lead to stable weather science careers. The field continues growing as climate change increases demand for atmospheric scientists in government agencies, private consulting firms, and broadcast meteorology.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $18,292
Net Price Range
$33,810
Avg. Program Earnings
62.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
3 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
4 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
5 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
6 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
7 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
8 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
9 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
10 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
11 $11,633 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
12 $11,750 $15,265 87.6% 23.7%
13 $12,865 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
14 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
15 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
16 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
17 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
18 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
19 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
20 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
21 $13,945 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
22 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
23 $14,294 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
24 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
25 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
26 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
27 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
28 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
29 $15,142 $9,676 52.6% 65.4%
30 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
31 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
32 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
33 $15,402 $8,994 62.4% 85.6%
34 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
35 $15,844 $8,678 56.6% 67.9%
36 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
37 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
38 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
39 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
40 $16,928 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
41 $16,931 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
42 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
43 $17,231 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
44 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
45 $17,413 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
46 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
47 $17,634 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
48 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
49 $18,287 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
50 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Florida State University's meteorology program strong for the cost?

Florida State combines a moderate $10,997 net cost with an 83% graduation rate and $39,009 average earnings for graduates. The university sits in the heart of hurricane alley, providing students direct exposure to severe weather research and tropical meteorology. This real-world laboratory experience, combined with strong academic outcomes, creates significant career advantages for meteorology students.

How do Ohio University's regional campuses compare for atmospheric sciences?

Ohio University operates five regional campuses with net costs between $4,503 and $6,483, but graduation rates range from just 12.1% to 20%. The Eastern Campus shows the highest completion rate at 20%, while Chillicothe records only 12.1%. These low graduation rates suggest students may struggle with program rigor or transfer to main campuses before completing degrees.

Is University of California-San Diego worth the higher cost for meteorology?

UC San Diego charges $11,750 net cost but delivers an impressive 87.6% graduation rate with highly selective 23.71% acceptance. The campus provides access to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the world's leading marine and atmospheric research centers. Students gain exposure to climate science research and ocean-atmosphere interactions that few other affordable programs can match.

Does geographic location affect career prospects in atmospheric sciences?

Regional weather patterns create distinct career opportunities across these affordable programs. Florida State students access hurricane research and tropical forecasting roles, while Utah State provides mountain meteorology and snow science experience. Western Illinois University graduates earning $25,194 often find positions with the National Weather Service's Chicago regional office. Location directly influences internship availability and specialized weather phenomena exposure.

Where can students find the best value combination of cost and outcomes?

North Carolina A&T State University offers strong value with $10,980 net cost and 55.3% graduation rate, while Utah State provides $12,869 net cost with 57.3% completion rate. Both schools significantly outperform regional Ohio campuses in graduation rates. Western Kentucky University accepts 96.95% of applicants with $10,916 net cost and 53.7% graduation rate, making it accessible for students with moderate academic credentials.

More Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Rankings

Cheapest Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Best Value Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Related

All Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.