New York · Astronomy and Astrophysics

Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics in New York

Ranked by graduates a year

Columbia University, Cornell University and Rochester Institute of Technology award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in New York: 24, 16 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 New York colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics and award 87 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
11
offering CIP 40.02
States offered
38
with a program page
Degrees / yr
87
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$28,133
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
82%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Astronomers
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

11 institutions offering Astronomy and Astrophysics in New York

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

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
1Columbia University
New York Private not-for-profit
—2496%$15,315—
2Cornell University
Ithaca Private not-for-profit
—1695%$17,613—
3Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Private not-for-profit
—1370%$28,133—
4Colgate University
Hamilton Private not-for-profit
—891%$22,903—
5Stony Brook University
Stony Brook Public
—776%——
6State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz Public
—572%——
7CUNY Graduate School and University Center
New York Public Online
—4———
8Siena University
Loudonville Private not-for-profit
—375%$30,138—
9Vassar College
Poughkeepsie Private not-for-profit
—391%$29,107—
10Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy Private not-for-profit
—284%$28,900—
11SUNY College at Geneseo
Geneseo Public
—271%——

Colleges awarding the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees in New York

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.

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)
1Columbia University
New York Private not-for-profit
24Not reported
2Cornell University
Ithaca Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
3Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Private not-for-profit
13Not reported
4Colgate University
Hamilton Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
5Stony Brook University
Stony Brook Public
7Not reported
6State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz Public
5Not reported
7Siena University
Loudonville Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
8Vassar College
Poughkeepsie Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
9Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
10SUNY College at Geneseo
Geneseo Public
2Not reported
Show the other 1 New York colleges offering Astronomy and Astrophysics
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
CUNY Graduate School and University Center (Online)New YorkPublic4

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 New York

Jobs in New York
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

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Astronomers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Astronomy and Astrophysics programs in New York.

Which New York colleges award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees?+

Columbia University (24 graduates a year), Cornell University (16 graduates a year) and Rochester Institute of Technology (13 graduates a year) award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in New York, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 New York 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.

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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