Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at Ohio State University-Main Campus

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 is solid for a STEM field, though the $41,430 first-year salary figure—drawn from national data on similar atmospheric sciences programs—sits at the lower end of what you'd hope for from a technical degree. Ohio State's reputation could offer advantages that smaller programs lack, but it's worth noting that meteorology careers often require graduate education for the most competitive positions. If your student plans to stop at a bachelor's degree, they'll likely enter forecasting roles with broadcasters or government agencies where salaries start modestly before climbing with experience.

The estimated $24,250 debt load is manageable compared to typical earnings growth in this field, where mid-career salaries for meteorologists substantially exceed starting pay. However, since these figures come from peer programs nationally rather than Ohio State's specific outcomes, you're making some educated guesses about what this particular program delivers. The university's strong science infrastructure and National Weather Service partnerships likely provide valuable internship access, but you won't know whether those connections translate to better job placement until your student is actually competing for positions.

The takeaway: This appears financially viable if your student is genuinely committed to weather science and willing to start at the entry level. Just understand that the pathway to higher-paying roles—whether through experience or graduate school—takes patience, and you're basing this decision on broader industry patterns rather than verified outcomes from this specific program.