I receive a lot of email from prospective students asking for advice on picking a meteorology school and/or program. I have compiled some information that people can use for a starting point in their search for a school or program that best suits their wants and needs.
Most of us almost never graduate with the exact goals in-mind that we had when we started. And, within meteorology there are many different possibilities for possible employment across many related fields. If “storm chasing” is the goal that a person has in-mind when starting a meteorology program, then perhaps they should rethink their goals – there are not any “full time” jobs within storm chasing. And, the jobs that do exist are related to research which generally require a PhD.
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/smartradars/
Here are a few career paths that are common with meteorology undergrads:
U.S. Government Employment – National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Armed Services.
Broadcasting – These jobs are extremely hard to obtain due to the job retention rate and number of undergrads competing for the same position when a job does become available.
Private Sector – Companies such as WeatherNews hires forecasters for marine weather and transportation, UPS has a team of staff meteorologist, wind engineering companies are becoming extremely popular, other options may be Forensic Meteorology at insurance companies and even some municipalities hire meteorologist (although many contract private companies as well).
Having a good plan in-mind of the goal you want to achieve will help you pick the right school and even minor. For example, if you’re goal is to work in broadcasting, then you may want to earn a minor in communications or if you’re planning to work in operational meteorology at The National Weather Service then you should plan to earn a minor in mathematics.
Here is a list of meteorology schools in the United States:
Alabama
University of Alabama in Huntsville – Huntsville, AL
University of South Alabama – Mobile, AL
Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks – Fairbanks, AK
Arizona
University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ
California
San Jose State University – San Jose, CA
University of California-Davis – Davis, CA
University of California-Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA
Colorado
Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO
Metropolitan State College of Denver – Denver, CO
United States Air Force Academy – USAFA
Connecticut
Western Connecticut State University – Danbury, CT
Delaware
University of Delaware – Newark, DE
District of Columbia
Howard University – Washington D.C.
Florida
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach – Daytona Beach, FL
Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL
University of Miami – Coral Gables, FL
Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa – Honolulu, HI
Illinois
Northern Illinois University – Dekalb, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, IL
College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, IL
Indiana
Valparaiso University – Valparaiso, IN
Iowa
Iowa State University – Ames, IA
Kansas
University of Kansas – Lawrence, KS
Louisiana
University of Louisiana at Monroe – Monroe, LA
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, MA
University of Massachusetts-Lowell – Lowell, MA
Michigan
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI
Minnesota
Saint Cloud State University – Saint Cloud, MN
Mississippi
Jackson State University – Jackson, MS
Mississippi State University -Starkville, MS *Online Programs
Missouri
Saint Louis University (Main Campus) – Saint Louis, MO
University of Missouri-Columbia – Columbia, MO
Nebraska
Creighton University – Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Lincoln, NE
Nevada
University of Nevada-Reno – Reno, NV
New Hampshire
Plymouth State University – Plymouth, NH
New Jersey
Princeton University – Princeton, NJ
Rutgers University-New Brunswick – New Brunswick, NJ
New York
SUNY at Albany – Albany, NY
SUNY College at Brockport – Brockport, NY
SUNY College at Oneonta – Oneonta, NY
SUNY College at Oswego – Oswego, NY
SUNY Maritime College – Bronx, NY
North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh – Raleigh, NC
University of North Carolina at Asheville – Asheville, NC
North Dakota
University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND
Ohio
Ohio State University (Main Campus) – Columbus, OH
Ohio University (Main Campus) – Athens, OH
Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma – Norman, OK
Oregon
Oregon State University – Corvallis, OR
Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania – Millersville, PA
Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus) – University Park, PA
South Dakota
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology – Rapid City, SD
Texas
Texas A&M University – College Station, TX
Texas Tech University – Lubbock, TX
Utah
University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT
Vermont
Lyndon State College – Lyndonville, VT
Washington
University of Washington (Seattle Campus) – Seattle, WA
Wisconsin
Northland College – Ashland, WI
University of Wisconsin (Main Campus) – Madison, WI
Wyoming
University of Wyoming – Larmine, WY
* Mississippi State University offers programs in Broadcast, Operational Meteorology and a Degree in Geo-Sciences. Their Broadcast Meteorology Program is offered online as well, and may be an excellent choice for those with a career in the broadcast industry in-mind.
While this list is comprehensive, I’m sure that I’ve probably left out a school and/or program somewhere. If you know of a school/program that you believe should be on this list, feel free to let me know.
Since most people come to this blog with an interest in Storm Chasing, it is assumed they are interested in Convective Meteorology. Storm Chasing doesn’t require a meteorology degree and the number of storm chasers without a degree outnumber those who have earned a degree (in fact, some probably didn’t make it through high school – but you definitely should!). If you’re interests are focused on Convective Meteorology, then strongly consider the University of Oklahoma. Texas A&M, Texas Tech and The College of DuPage are also great choices.
Tags: meteorology
well…I looked at the schools and tried to click on it and it wouldnt let me why?? I wanna see if this is the right school for me because I really want to go to a collage in Kansas
It’s just a list of the schools, the text isn’t linked to their school’s websites. Just copy and paste the school that you’re looking for into Google and chances are – it’ll be at the top of the list. Thanks Hope.
Hope, maybe you should give up on your college dreams.
Other than that, any schools in Canada with a specialization in natural sciences?
Maybe this is the wrong place to be asking.
There are Canadian universities that offer Atmospheric science/meteorology programs:
University of British Columbia
University of Alberta
University of Manitoba (they even offer a storm-chasing course!)
York University
University of Toronto
McGill University
Dalhousie University
I was want to go to school in Texas any other Texas schools besides Tech and A&M?
Which school is the best? I am wanting to get the best education possible, but am not sure where to go!
ive been looking at a weather career as long as i can remember, but i need some personl tips on what i can do to achieve this, im only in my thrid year of high school, but ned to start planning. is there any adive and tips you can give me? i want to get in the basic career in meteorology, but storm chasing is what ive wanted to do, can that give you any sort of income as you progress through college and perservere in the storm chasing area. and which college would be the best to go to get the education i need, but at reasonable tuition?
well im looking for a school that has storm chasing AND a meterology
Cammi, look at either Miss. State Univ, or College of DuPage. I believe those are the only two schools that offer storm chasing as a part of the course.
Tyler, are you looking at a career in broadcast meteorology or operational meteorology? The difference is either working in broadcasting or for a research/science based organization like the National Weather Service. It’s the former, look into Mississippi State University and I think you’ll find what you need in their broadcast meteorology program. If it’s the latter, than there are a ton of schools out there, that vary in price. Check into Oklahoma University, Texas A&M, Penn State, etc…
Im looking to get my Phd eventually in meteorology, the main thing i really want to do is storm chasing, and then something on the side seeing as storm chasing is not a full time job. But i dont want to do broadcasting, but something that actually studies like tornadoes and so on, im looking at going to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, but i have to do 2 years of city college first and i have no clue what prereqs i would need to take, would you possibly have any tips for me? (i graduate High School in 2 months and picking my classes for college next week, im kind of freaking out cause i have no clue what to search.) Thank you :]
Math and physics! Sit down with a planner at the school you’re going to attend and have them (or you) contact OU to make sure your acquired credits will transfer. If they don’t you’ll be back at square one when you transfer to Norman.
Hi Brian! Thanks for all the wonderful info on this site. I see you already talked about some colleges for operational meteorology…can you name some more? I’m interested in pursing a career in forecast meteorology but not the broadcast part:) Thanks again!
What’s everyone’s opinion on NC State’s program? I’m in Virginia (NO METEOROLOGY!!) and have been accepted into Mississippi State, Penn State, and NC State. For some reason, I’m leaning towards NC State, mostly for location. Is the program ok? I mean, I’ve heard that undergrduate programs are pretty much the same, it’s the graduate programs that differ, but… any opinions?
Hello Brain. I have a communications (media studies) degree from San Diego State. Although its not a broadcasting degree that is offered with in Communication studies i did take broadcasting courses to receive the media degree. Could this possibly enable me to land a broadcasting job? I am currently have 2 years into a 4 year tour with the coast guard. Unfortunately, the coast guard has no career paths with in meteorology. Do you have any idea on how difficult it would be to get accepted back into a university already having a BA. Would they take high school and college transcripts? I took little math and physics as prereqs. I feel like i would almost be starting entirely over. I am aware my questions are broad but any little insight could help. Thanks Jonathn
I just wanted to let everyone know that Central Michigan University also offers an excellent meteorology undergrad degree (not listed under Michigan in the list). They focus on what you will encounter in a job atmosphere forecasting and also research. The faculty members are outstanding! I am a recent graduate and have been hired by the National Weather Service, I know of four others that have also been placed in the NWS in just the past three years and numerous others that have been placed in broadcasting meteorology across the United States. Good luck to all!
Thanks for the info Brian!
I have a BA in Broadcast Journalism but want to focus on getting into broadcast meteorology. I currently live in Los Angeles and I know UCLA has atmospheric science programs. Should I be looking into a major in this or a 2nd bachelors degree? I’m not sure I have enough of the undergrad requirements to succeed in a majors program, especially the math classes.
I’m also from Chicago and I’m familiar with COD which could also be an option for me if Cali is not the place I should be for classes.
Thanks!
I would recommend looking into Mississippi State Univ’s Broadcast Meteorology (Certificate) program. You’ve already got the journalism degree in-hand, so all you really need is to get your AMS stamp of approval, and MSU would do that for you. Good luck.
Thanks so much! Talked to them today looking into their online courses. Think it may work out, I’m very excited : )
What happened to Purdue and Ball STate?
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