Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,790/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (52% exposed)
Job Market Medium (20,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 11 Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology programs

Program Analysis

Your path in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology from UW-Madison is shaped by unique regional and industry factors. While the program itself is highly respected, often leading to roles at agencies like NOAA, the National Weather Service, or specialized research, the local labor market isn't as rich with high-paying private sector opportunities as some coastal or energy-centric areas. This can influence initial earnings compared to the national average for this niche field. The 'Very High' AI risk reflects the increasing automation of routine forecasting and data analysis tasks. Future meteorologists will need to excel in areas AI struggles with: interpreting complex model discrepancies, communicating nuanced uncertainty to diverse audiences, and developing new predictive tools. Therefore, actively seek internships that expose you to advanced data science applications and interdisciplinary problem-solving, ensuring your skills remain indispensable.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $444K $450K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 10.0x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.7x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (2.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 35,665 students enrolled in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Atmospheric and space scientists $97,450/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Madison's Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 52% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →