Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania State University, Villanova University and Carnegie Mellon University award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 32, 10 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Pennsylvania colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics and award 78 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…
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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,728 | 32 | 86% | — | $24,678 |
Colleges awarding the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 8 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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 32 | $39,728 |
| 2 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 4 | Haverford College Haverford Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Lycoming College Williamsport Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Astronomers (SOC 19-2011).
Top skills
What Astronomers earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Astronomy and Astrophysics programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees?+
Pennsylvania State University (32 graduates a year), Villanova University (10 graduates a year) and Carnegie Mellon University (8 graduates a year) award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Pennsylvania colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Which Astronomy and Astrophysics program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania State University tops the list at $39,728. 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.
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