Climate Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the climate system of the earth with emphasis on the physical, dynamical, and chemical interactions of the atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and the terrestrial and marine biospheres. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, climate analysis, climate change adaptation/mitigation, climate policy, ecology, energy development, environmental impacts, marine chemistry, meteorology, and oceanography.
- Schools offering
- 11
- Annual completions
- 12
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- —
About this major
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the climate system of the earth with emphasis on the physical, dynamical, and chemical interactions of the atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and the terrestrial and marine biospheres. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, climate analysis, climate change adaptation/mitigation, climate policy, ecology, energy development, environmental impacts, marine chemistry, meteorology, and oceanography.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural sciences managers | $161k | +3.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | $101k | +2.6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Atmospheric and space scientists | $97k | +0.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Geographers | $97k | -3.1% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Earnings data is not yet available at this major's level of granularity. See the concentration hub for family-level figures.
Top colleges for Climate Science
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Plymouth State University | Plymouth, NH | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| University at Albany | Albany, NY | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport, NY | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks, AK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney, WA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unity Environmental University | New Gloucester, ME | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston, MA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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