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Astronomy

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#1 #1 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA All first year students have the ability to apply to either the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Architecture, School of Engineering, School of Nursing, or the Kinesiology program at the Curry School of Education....view more Acceptance Rate 17% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,420–1,540 Median Starting Salary $54,057
#2 #2 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the most popular majors students study are Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. In fact, the University of Hawaii at Manoa awards 223 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 87% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 970–1,240 Median Starting Salary $51,958
#3 #3 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA At the University of California-Santa Cruz, the most popular majors students pursue are Computer Science, Psychology, General, and Business/Managerial Economics. In fact, the University of California-Santa Cruz awards 653 degrees annually to Computer Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 66% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,180–1,390 Median Starting Salary $50,225
#4 #4 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA At San Francisco State University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, and Computer Science....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 930–1,140 Median Starting Salary $51,320
#5 #5 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Wesleyan University Middletown, CT Each year, Wesleyan University awards about 90 degrees to students studying Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Political Science and Government, General, English Language and Literature, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 16% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,440–1,540 Median Starting Salary $56,208
#6 #6 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Northwestern University Evanston, IL At Northwestern University, the most popular majors students study are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 8% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,500–1,560 Median Starting Salary $50,302
#7 #7 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA At Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus, the most popular majors students study are Finance, General, Psychology, General, and Information Science/Studies. In fact, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus awards 533 degrees annually to Finance, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 61% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,250–1,430 Median Starting Salary $53,204
#8 #8 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Each year, The University of Texas at Austin awards around 744 degrees to those majoring in Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 27% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,260–1,500 Median Starting Salary $50,842
#9 #9 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. San Diego State University San Diego, CA Each year, San Diego State University grants around 2156 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 36% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,100–1,320 Median Starting Salary $49,978
#10 #10 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Boston University Boston, MA At Boston University, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Computer Science, Psychology, and General. In fact, Boston University grants 713 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,430–1,530 Median Starting Salary $54,842
#11 #11 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Every year, the University of Maryland-College Park grants around 948 degrees to students studying Computer Science, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Information Science/Studies, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 45% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,410–1,540 Median Starting Salary $52,543
#12 #12 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Columbia University is separated into 20 different schools which include the College, global research outposts, Juilliard School, Barnard College, and more. Each new student will meet with an adviser to go over their plan and schedule for the upcoming year....view more Acceptance Rate 4% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,510–1,570 Median Starting Salary $44,723
#13 #13 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM At New Mexico State University-Main Campus, the three most popular college majors students study are Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 890–1,130 Median Starting Salary $50,549
#14 #14 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Cornell University Ithaca, NY At Cornell University, the most popular majors students study are Computer Science, Labor and Industrial Relations, and Hotel/Motel Administration/Management. In fact, Cornell University grants 467 degrees annually to Computer Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 9% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,490–1,570 Median Starting Salary $52,939
#15 #15 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Annually, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus grants around 515 degrees to those studying Computer Science, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Informatics, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric....view more Acceptance Rate 39% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,230–1,460 Median Starting Salary $48,965
#16 #16 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY Every year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute grants around 237 degrees to those majoring in Computer Science, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 63% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,380–1,510 Median Starting Salary $55,040
#17 #17 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Florida Gainesville, FL At the University of Florida, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, the University of Florida grants 578 degrees per year to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 24% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,330–1,480 Median Starting Salary $48,925
#18 #18 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Computer Engineering, General, and Computer Science....view more Acceptance Rate 42% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,330–1,520 Median Starting Salary $52,462
#19 #19 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI At the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Economics, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 16% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,370–1,530 Median Starting Salary $52,021
#20 #20 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Each year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison awards around 665 degrees to students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 45% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,360–1,480 Median Starting Salary $57,440
#21 #21 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN At Indiana University-Bloomington, the three most popular college majors students study are Business/Commerce, General, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Public Administration....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,200–1,420 Median Starting Salary $56,700
#22 #22 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX At Texas A&M University-College Station, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Biomedical Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 57% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,170–1,400 Median Starting Salary $52,575
#23 #23 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Every year, the University of Arizona awards around 486 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,110–1,370 Median Starting Salary $51,739
#24 #24 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Annually, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst awards around 525 degrees to those majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Computer Science, Finance, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 60% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,320–1,500 Median Starting Salary $55,511
#25 #25 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH Annually, Ohio State University-Main Campus awards around 893 degrees to students majoring in Finance, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Experimental Psychology, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 61% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,310–1,450 Median Starting Salary $53,003
#26 #26 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Every year, the University of Iowa grants around 377 degrees to students studying Kinesiology and Exercise Science, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Finance, General, Behavioral Sciences, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,100–1,320 Median Starting Salary $56,402
#27 #27 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S. University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV At the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the three most popular college majors students study are Psychology, General, Hospitality Administration/Management, General, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 980–1,220 Median Starting Salary $51,902
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Astronomy

A general program that focuses on the planetary, galactic, and stellar phenomena occurring in outer space. Includes instruction in celestial mechanics, cosmology, stellar physics, galactic evolution, quasars, stellar distribution and motion, interstellar medium, atomic and molecular constituents of astronomical phenomena, planetary science, solar system evolution, and specific methodologies such as optical astronomy, radioastronomy, and theoretical astronomy.

While Astronomy offers degrees up to the Post masters certificate, the majority of students earn a Masters degree. Students major in Astronomy all over the country, though the major at the Masters degree level sees the most graduates in California. The average starting salary for a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Astronomy is $51,867.

Popularity of Astronomy Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Astronomy degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

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Careers

Some top careers related to Astronomy, include Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Astronomers, both of which have many employment opportunities. Though there are careers that pay more, such as Natural Sciences Managers. the most in-demand position for Astronomy majors is Natural Sciences Managers.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Astronomy majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Astronomy majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

128

Female Students

70 (54%)

Male Students

58 (45%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Astronomy

#1 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

17%

9

1,420–1,540

$54,057

#2 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

87%

8

970–1,240

$51,958

#3 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

66%

4

1,180–1,390

$50,225

#4 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

96%

9

930–1,140

$51,320

#5 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

16%

2

1,440–1,540

$56,208

#6 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

8%

7

1,500–1,560

$50,302

#7 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

61%

7

1,250–1,430

$53,204

#8 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

27%

10

1,260–1,500

$50,842

#9 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

36%

9

1,100–1,320

$49,978

#10 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

11%

7

1,430–1,530

$54,842

#11 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

45%

6

1,410–1,540

$52,543

#12 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

4%

4

1,510–1,570

$44,723

#13 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

89%

5

890–1,130

$50,549

#14 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

9%

4

1,490–1,570

$52,939

#15 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

39%

5

1,230–1,460

$48,965

#16 Best College for Astronomy in the U.S.

63%

2

1,380–1,510