Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at State University of New York at Oswego

The $25,000 debt load sits right at the national median for atmospheric sciences programs, but the estimated first-year earnings tell a more interesting story. While peer programs nationally suggest starting salaries around $41,430, other New York schools report considerably lower figures—SUNY Maritime's graduates, for instance, start at $34,361. If SUNY Oswego's outcomes track closer to state peers than national averages, that debt-to-earnings ratio becomes tighter than the 0.60 estimate suggests.

Atmospheric sciences is a specialized field with clear career paths in meteorology, climatology, and environmental consulting, but it's also one where graduate school often matters for advancement. The moderate debt here won't close doors to further education, but families should recognize that the relatively high acceptance rate and mid-range test scores may indicate a program that serves a broad range of students—some heading directly to forecasting jobs, others needing additional credentials. The 39% Pell grant population suggests SUNY Oswego draws many first-generation college students for whom this represents an accessible entry into a technical field.

Without program-specific outcomes, you're betting that SUNY Oswego performs at least as well as comparable atmospheric sciences programs elsewhere. The debt level is manageable if those earnings materialize, but confirm where recent graduates actually land—if most need grad school or start in lower-paying positions, that changes the calculation considerably.