Best institutions to study Astronomy and Astrophysics
Any instructional program in astronomy and astrophysics not listed above.
12 U.S. institutions graduated 133 Astronomy and Astrophysics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0299, a specialization of Astronomy and Astrophysics (CIP 40.02), and leads most directly to the Astronomers occupation (BLS SOC 19-2011).
About Astronomy and Astrophysics programs
Any instructional program in astronomy and astrophysics not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program focuses on the study of celestial phenomena, encompassing both theoretical and observational aspects of the universe. This program is designed for students passionate about understanding the cosmos and who wish to engage in scientific research and exploration of astronomical concepts. Students in this program will gain a comprehensive understanding of physical sciences, preparing them for advanced studies or careers in various fields related to astronomy and astrophysics. With a blend of rigorous coursework and practical experience, graduates will be equipped to contribute to the scientific community and tackle complex astronomical challenges.
In the Astronomy and Astrophysics program, students will develop essential skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, and critical thinking. Core knowledge areas include physics, computers and electronics, and engineering technology, providing a solid foundation for analyzing research data and studying celestial phenomena.
Credentials awarded
What Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree91 graduates / yr · 9 institutions68%
- Master's degree17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions13%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 2 institutions12%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.8%
Graduates over time
Astronomy and Astrophysics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 53 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2015 | 55 |
| 2016 | 59 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 65 |
| 2020 | 96 |
| 2021 | 87 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 122 |
| 2024 | 119 |
| 2025 | 133 |
Top 12 institutions for Astronomy and Astrophysics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 2 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 67% | $38,899 | — |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 93% | — | — |
| 5 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 81% | — | $33,373 |
| 6 | University of Wyoming Laramie, WYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 59% | — | — |
| 7 | Butler University Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 80% | $35,696 | — |
| 8 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 9 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 5 | 66% | — | — |
| 10 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 11 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 12 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 86% | $25,823 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Astronomy and Astrophysics field (CIP 40.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 11 states
Where Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates come from. Each state links to all Astronomy and Astrophysics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 59 | Florida Institute of Technology33 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 22 | Harvard University22 / yr |
| California | 1 | 14 | University of California - Los Angeles14 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 9 | Michigan State University9 / yr |
| Wyoming | 1 | 6 | University of Wyoming6 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 5 | Butler University5 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 5 | Johns Hopkins University5 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 5 | College of Charleston5 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 3 | George Washington University3 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | Emory University3 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Texas Christian University2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2011, Astronomers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Astronomy and Astrophysics program can pursue careers as astronomers, with additional opportunities in natural sciences management and education. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.2% and around 100 annual openings. The median wage for astronomers is approximately $132,170, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0299
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Astronomersprimary SOC 19-2011 | $128,820 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1054 | $100,310 | +2.5% About as fast as average | ~1,300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Astronomy and Astrophysics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Analyze research data to determine its significance, using computers.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences and in papers written for scientific journals.
- Study celestial phenomena, using a variety of ground-based and space-borne telescopes and scientific instruments.
- Collaborate with other astronomers to carry out research projects.
- Mentor graduate students and junior colleagues.
- Supervise students' research on celestial and astronomical phenomena.
Tools and technology used
Other Astronomy and Astrophysics specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Astronomy and Astrophysics (CIP 40.02).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, as well as a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and effective communication.
What careers are available after graduation?+
You can work as an astronomer, natural sciences manager, or a postsecondary teacher in related fields.
What is the job outlook for astronomers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.2% and approximately 100 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Astronomy and Astrophysics?+
Astronomy and Astrophysics is CIP 40.0299 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Astronomy and Astrophysics (CIP 40.02). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in astronomy and astrophysics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Astronomy and Astrophysics programs?+
12 U.S. institutions reported Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 133 credentials in the year. That is 8.2% of all Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates.
How much do Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Astronomers occupation, which Astronomy and Astrophysics most directly leads to, pays a median of $128,820 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Astronomy and Astrophysics field report median earnings of $33,373 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card