Michigan · Astronomy and Astrophysics

Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Michigan State University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Wayne State University award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Michigan: 44, 34 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Michigan colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics and award 89 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…

Institutions
5
offering CIP 40.02
States offered
38
with a program page
Degrees / yr
89
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$33,373
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
72%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Astronomers
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,3734481%——

Colleges awarding the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees in Michigan

Top 5 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
44$33,373
2University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Public
34Not reported
3Wayne State University
Detroit Public
6Not reported
4Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant Public
3Not reported
5Michigan Technological University
Houghton Public
2Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Astronomers (SOC 19-2011).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.2%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$132,170
typically Doctoral or professional degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionScienceWritingMathematicsCritical ThinkingActive Listening

What Astronomers earn in Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Physicists
$135,340 avg · 510 jobs
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
$115,750 avg · 460 jobs
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,070 avg · 180 jobs
Astronomers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Astronomy and Astrophysics programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees?+

Michigan State University (44 graduates a year), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (34 graduates a year) and Wayne State University (6 graduates a year) award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Michigan colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Which Astronomy and Astrophysics program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $33,373. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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