Climate Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of long-term weather patterns and the factors driving climate change.
Starting Salary
$72K
median
Mid-Career
$105K
salary
ROI Payback
3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2%
rate
Climate Science Overview
Study of long-term weather patterns and the factors driving climate change.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's/Master's
Graduation Rate
82%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
8%
Lifetime Premium
$100K
Female Graduates
45%
Climate Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$81,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($100,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Climate Science Salary Progression
Common Climate Science Careers
Climate Scientist
Environmental Analyst
Research Scientist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Climate Science
#1
MIT
#2
Stanford
#3
Columbia
#4
CU Boulder
#5
University of Washington
Climate Science Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 140+ college majors.