Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduates a year
Harvard University, Boston University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Massachusetts: 48, 29 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Massachusetts colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics and award 131 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program focuses on the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, applying principles from physics and chemistry. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the nature of the…
11 institutions offering Astronomy and Astrophysics in Massachusetts
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | — | 48 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | — | 29 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | — | 18 | 83% | — | — |
| 4 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 84% | $26,083 | — |
| 5 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 6 | Smith College Northampton Private not-for-profit | — | 6 | 89% | $17,183 | — |
| 7 | Wellesley College Wellesley Private not-for-profit | — | 6 | 92% | $19,292 | — |
| 8 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 9 | Stonehill College Easton Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 76% | $24,000 | — |
| 10 | Williams College Williamstown Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 94% | $10,747 | — |
| 11 | Amherst College Amherst Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 94% | $16,081 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 48 | Not reported |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 29 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 4 | Mount Holyoke College South Hadley Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 5 | Tufts University Medford Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Smith College Northampton Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Wellesley College Wellesley Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Stonehill College Easton Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Williams College Williamstown Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Massachusetts colleges offering Astronomy and Astrophysics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst College | Amherst | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Astronomers (SOC 19-2011).
Top skills
What Astronomers earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Astronomy and Astrophysics programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees?+
Harvard University (48 graduates a year), Boston University (29 graduates a year) and University of Massachusetts-Amherst (18 graduates a year) award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Massachusetts colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics.
What is the focus of the Astronomy and Astrophysics program?+
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program focuses on the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, applying principles from physics and chemistry. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the nature of the…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, science, writing, mathematics, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Astronomers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.2% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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