Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology at SUNY Oneonta

Similar atmospheric sciences programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,400, which would place SUNY Oneonta's graduates notably above New York's state median of $34,361 for this field. With estimated debt of $24,250—slightly below typical borrowing levels for meteorology degrees—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 indicates manageable repayment if these projections hold true. This represents roughly six months of gross income, a reasonable starting point for a science-focused career.

The challenge is that these figures come from a small pool of comparable programs nationwide rather than Oneonta's own graduate outcomes. New York's meteorology programs show considerable variation, with SUNY Maritime reporting the $34,361 state median—about $7,000 less than the national estimate used here. Whether Oneonta performs closer to that lower state benchmark or matches stronger national peers makes a significant practical difference in monthly budget calculations.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Oneonta's specific program connects graduates to employers willing to pay closer to national rates—think National Weather Service positions, private forecasting firms, or broadcast meteorology—or whether most alumni remain in-state in lower-paying roles. Contact the department directly about recent graduate placement patterns and starting positions. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but actual outcomes for this campus could differ meaningfully in either direction.