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Climate Science Degree in Reno, NV — Salary & ROI 2026

Climate Science degree analysis for Reno, NV. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$84K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$122K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.1 yrs

in Reno

Cost of Living

116

index (100 = avg)

Climate Science in Reno, NV Overview

Reno is one of Nevada's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 20,250. Public tuition averages $8,691/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Climate Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Climate Modeling and Data Analysis skills. The adjusted starting salary in Reno is approximately $83,520.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

21

Public Tuition

$8,691/yr

Private Tuition

$55,136/yr

Room & Board

$13,579/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$15,613/yr

Unemployment

3.6%

Graduation Rate

64%

Climate Science Salary in Reno (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Reno's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$83,520(+$11,520 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$121,800(+$16,800 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$162,400(+$22,400 vs national)

Note: National average Climate Science salary: $72,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Reno adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.

Climate Science ROI Calculator for Reno

Estimate your return on investment for a Climate Science degree using local Reno tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,691 | Private avg: $55,136

Reno avg aid: $15,613/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$89,080

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$42,920

vs HS diploma in Reno

ROI Payback Period

2.1 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Reno

$26,920

Lifetime earnings premium ($116,000) minus total education cost ($89,080)

Student Loan Payoff for Climate Science in Reno

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$89,080
Monthly Payment$1,011
Total Interest$32,298
% of Monthly Income15%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$89,080
Monthly Payment$1,743
Total Interest$15,497
Interest Savings$16,801

Colleges in Reno for Climate Science

University of Nevada, Reno

public

$8,691/yr

$34,764 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Truckee Meadows Community College

$3,420/yr

Top Employers for Climate Science in Reno

Reno offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Climate Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NOAANASAEPAClimate Analytics

Key Reno Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Climate Science Job Titles

Climate ScientistEnvironmental AnalystResearch Scientist

Climate Science Degree in Reno — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Climate Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Reno.

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