Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorologyat University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Graduates earn $41,026/yr in their first year — about 2.0% above the national Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $749K; scenarios range from $654K to $786K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UIUC
This highly specialized program at a top-tier research institution like UIUC positions you well within a niche but critical field. The university's strong emphasis on scientific research and its robust faculty often mean graduates secure roles with federal agencies such as NOAA or the National Weather Service, or in academic and climate modeling positions. While Champaign isn't a major private-sector meteorology hub, UIUC's reputation and research connections open doors nationally, particularly in areas like atmospheric dynamics, climate science, or applied meteorology for agriculture and energy sectors.
However, the rapid advancements in AI are fundamentally reshaping atmospheric sciences, automating many traditional forecasting and data analysis tasks. To thrive, you'll need to cultivate advanced analytical skills, programming proficiency, and a deep understanding of data science to leverage AI tools, rather than be replaced by them. Focus your studies on research, model development, or interdisciplinary applications to ensure your expertise remains invaluable.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UIUC's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
How UIUC stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UIUC
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UIUC, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at UIUC
What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 50/100, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The 52% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign one of the best schools for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology?
Among 11 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.