Best institutions to study Planetary Astronomy and Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of planets, small objects, and related gravitational systems.
15 U.S. institutions graduated 105 Planetary Astronomy and Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0203, a specialization of Astronomy and Astrophysics (CIP 40.02), and leads most directly to the Astronomers occupation (BLS SOC 19-2011).
About Planetary Astronomy and Science programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of planets, small objects, and related gravitational systems. Includes instruction in the structure and composition of planetary surfaces and interiors, planetary atmospheres, satellites, orbital mechanics, asteroids and comets, solar system evolution and dynamics, planetary evolution, gravitational physics, and radiation physics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Planetary Astronomy and Science program, a specialization within Astronomy and Astrophysics, delves into the scientific study of planets and their gravitational systems. This program is designed for students interested in exploring celestial phenomena, planetary atmospheres, and the dynamics of our solar system. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares graduates for advanced research and practical applications in the field of physical sciences.
Students in this program will develop core skills in reading comprehension, mathematics, and critical thinking, alongside knowledge in physics and computer science. Coursework typically includes the study of planetary surfaces, orbital mechanics, and gravitational physics, equipping students with the tools needed for scientific analysis and research.
Credentials awarded
What Planetary Astronomy and Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree53 graduates / yr · 8 institutions51%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 5 institutions20%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 6 institutions18%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year12 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
Graduates over time
Planetary Astronomy and Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2015 | 53 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2018 | 47 |
| 2019 | 46 |
| 2020 | 58 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 78 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 89 |
| 2025 | 105 |
Top 15 institutions for Planetary Astronomy and Science, 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 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 34 | 0% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 18 | 68% | — | — |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 4 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 88% | — | — |
| 5 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 61% | — | — |
| 6 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 4 | 94% | $17,608 | — |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 8 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 93% | — | $54,746 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 12 | Stonehill College Easton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 76% | $24,000 | — |
| 13 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 14 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 1 | 71% | — | — |
| 15 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 58% | — | — |
* 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 7 states
Where Planetary Astronomy and Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Astronomy and Astrophysics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 4 | 61 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion34 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 21 | Harvard University16 / yr |
| California | 3 | 9 | California Institute of Technology4 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 8 | Ohio State University - Main Campus8 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 3 | Washington University in St Louis2 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | Florida Institute of Technology2 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 1 | University of Arkansas1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2011, Astronomers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Planetary Astronomy and Science program can pursue careers as astronomers, with an average annual wage of $132,170. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an estimated 100 annual openings and a growth rate of 2.2%. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0203
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 |
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 Planetary Astronomy and Science 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 in Planetary Astronomy and Science.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue?+
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 100 annual openings projected.
What is the CIP code for Planetary Astronomy and Science?+
Planetary Astronomy and Science is CIP 40.0203 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Astronomy and Astrophysics (CIP 40.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of planets, small objects, and related gravitational systems. Includes instruction in the structure and composition of planetary surfaces and interiors, planetary atmospheres, satellites, orbital mechanics, asteroids and comets, solar system evolution and dynamics, planetary evolution, gravitational physics, and radiation physics.
How many institutions offer Planetary Astronomy and Science programs?+
15 U.S. institutions reported Planetary Astronomy and Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 105 credentials in the year. That is 6.5% of all Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates.
How much do Planetary Astronomy and Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Astronomers occupation, which Planetary Astronomy and Science 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 $54,746 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.
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