Top Colleges for Aspiring Meteorologists

For students passionate about understanding and predicting the weather, choosing the right college with a strong meteorology program is a crucial first step. Meteorology is an interesting and important field. This article will explore some of the best colleges and universities in the United States for meteorology programs, highlighting their strengths and unique offerings.

Overview of Meteorology Programs

Atmospheric sciences & meteorology sits in the middle of the road, ranking #227 out of 395 majors in the country. So, it might take a little more work to find colleges and universities that offer the degree program.

When choosing the right school, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. The meteorology program you select can have a big impact on your future.

Top Universities for Meteorology

Several universities stand out for their exceptional meteorology programs, offering a range of specializations and research opportunities.

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

Known for having one of the largest and oldest meteorology programs in the country, Penn State has excellent faculty and research opportunities. Their program is highly respected and covers various aspects of meteorology, including forecasting, atmospheric sciences, and climatology. The undergraduate program in Meteorology at Penn State is a great overall program, with some amazing people to work with.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT offers an atmospheric science program through its Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. This program is known for its strong emphasis on research, allowing you access to cutting-edge meteorological studies and technologies.

University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology is widely recognized for its severe weather and tornado research. It's located in the heart of "Tornado Alley," giving students hands-on experience in understanding storms and severe weather events.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Their Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences has a strong focus on both atmospheric sciences and oceanography, offering a comprehensive meteorology program. They also have a valuable partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), providing solid research opportunities. UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall. There were roughly 24 atmospheric sciences & meteorology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year data is available.

Florida State University (FSU)

FSU's Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science offers a meteorology program that balances theory with real-world applications. The school's location in Florida offers students the chance to study unique weather patterns, such as hurricanes and tropical storms.

University of Washington (UW)

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at UW features an interdisciplinary approach, covering topics like climate change, air quality, and remote sensing. Their program emphasizes the use of cutting-edge technology and facilities for research. Judging from a math background, you may like the University of Washington.

Read also: Computer Science College Guide

Texas A&M University

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M has a solid meteorology program that covers a wide range of topics in atmospheric science, such as tropical meteorology, boundary layer meteorology, and synoptic meteorology. Their program is known for its strong emphasis on fieldwork and research. Texas A&M University - College Station is a great decision for students interested in a degree in atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall. There were approximately 37 atmospheric sciences & meteorology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year data is available.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a good decision for students interested in a degree in atmospheric sciences & meteorology. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall. There were approximately 29 atmospheric sciences & meteorology students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year data is available.

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)

Every student pursuing a degree in atmospheric sciences & meteorology needs to look into University of California - Los Angeles. UCLA is a very large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall. There were about 27 atmospheric sciences & meteorology students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

Millersville University

Millersville University's Meteorology program is a nationally recognized leader in the atmospheric and climate sciences. Their innovative curriculum goes beyond traditional meteorology but also offers cutting-edge courses in space weather, air quality, water resources, data analytics, and emergency management. Graduates of Millersville University’s meteorology program make a real impact across a wide range of industries. Their alumni thrive in roles such as educators and academic researchers, government scientists and policy advisors, private sector analysts and consultants, as well as on-air meteorologists at TV stations nationwide. More than half of their graduates work in operational forecasting, and just a few of their employers include The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, WeatherWorks, Versar, and numerous branches of the National Weather Service. This program conforms to the American Meteorological Society's Guidelines for a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology/Atmospheric Science. It satisfies the National Weather Service GS-1340 requirements and can adequately prepare a student for the pursuit of an advanced degree in graduate school. As a 72-credit program, students should expect to take courses regarding various aspects of earth science and meteorology as well as a mixture of calculus, statistics, and physics courses. Their students gain critical skills in the curriculum that they then apply in funded research projects and internships. Their students take instrumentation courses and learn to use radiosonde launch stations, kestrels and kites, and drones equipped with atmospheric monitoring instruments. In addition, their students learn Python, Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), as well as Storm Prediction Center (SPC) radar tools. These skills are then applied to innovative research projects alongside the meteorology professors.

Other Notable Institutions

While the above universities are consistently highly ranked, many other institutions offer excellent meteorology programs:

Read also: Becoming a Better Student

Saint Louis University: An option to consider when Looking thoroughly into meteorology programs.
University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP): Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Degree Programs Offered

Many universities offer a variety of degree programs in meteorology and atmospheric science, including:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.): A common undergraduate degree that provides a strong foundation in meteorology.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): May offer a more interdisciplinary approach, combining meteorology with other fields.
Master of Science (M.S.): A graduate degree that allows for more specialized study and research.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): A research-focused degree for those seeking to make significant contributions to the field.

Specific degree offerings vary by institution. Here's a glimpse of what some universities offer:

B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.: University of Washington, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Texas A&M University, University of Michigan, UMCP.
B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D.: Iowa State University.
B.S. and M.S.: University at Albany.
B.A. and B.S.: San Jose State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Curriculum and Skills

Meteorology programs typically include a rigorous curriculum covering a wide range of topics, and students should expect to take courses regarding various aspects of earth science and meteorology as well as a mixture of calculus, statistics, and physics courses. Students also develop critical skills in the curriculum that they then apply in funded research projects and internships.

These programs conform to the American Meteorological Society's Guidelines for a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology/Atmospheric Science and satisfy the National Weather Service GS-1340 requirements.

Specific skills gained may include:

Data Analysis and Visualization: Atmospheric data analysis/visualization coupled with software development.
Instrumentation: Using radiosonde launch stations, kestrels and kites, and drones equipped with atmospheric monitoring instruments.
Software Proficiency: Python, Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), as well as Storm Prediction Center (SPC) radar tools.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of meteorology programs have diverse career opportunities across various sectors. Graduates of Millersville University’s meteorology program, for example, make a real impact across a wide range of industries. More than half of their graduates work in operational forecasting.

Some common career paths include:

Operational Forecasting: Working as on-air meteorologists at TV stations nationwide, The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, WeatherWorks, Versar, and numerous branches of the National Weather Service.
Research: Educators and academic researchers, government scientists.
Consulting: Private sector analysts and consultants.
Policy Advising: Government scientists and policy advisors.

Considerations When Choosing a College

When selecting a college for meteorology, consider the following factors:

Faculty Expertise: Look for programs with experienced and well-respected faculty.
Research Opportunities: Consider the availability of research projects and collaborations.
Location: Some locations offer unique opportunities to study specific weather phenomena.
Financial Aid: Explore the financial aid options available at each institution.
Campus Culture: Visit the campus and get a feel for the overall environment.

The Value of a College Education

Whether or not college offers a good value depends upon the individual. College is more about learning how to learn and not entirely the discipline that you’re working on a degree in. Too much energy is spent testing how well you can regurgitate specific concepts on an exam. The few courses that challenged students to think were always the ones that were walked away from with the most. It wasn't a bad deal, but more could be had for the money if more courses challenged students to think for themselves.

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