Bachelor’s Degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Education Levels of Astronomy Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 1,035 people earned their bachelor's degree in astronomy. This earns it the #168 spot on the list of the most popular bachelor's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in astronomy at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 1,035 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 259 |
| Master’s Degree | 253 |
| Associate Degree | 13 |
| Graduate Certificate | 10 |
| Basic Certificate | 2 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 1 |
Earnings of Astronomy Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in astronomy is $39,728. This number may vary for a lot of reasons. For instance, you may decide to move to a location where people with your degree are rare and make more money. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $34,272 to a high of $45,425.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in astronomy is $76,676. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $76,676 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $76,676.
Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $912.
Student Diversity
More men than women pursue bachelor's degrees in astronomy. About 58.1% of graduates in this field are male.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 601 |
| Women | 434 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of astronomy bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 94 |
| Black or African American | 26 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 112 |
| White | 606 |
| International Students | 100 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 97 |
Most Popular Astronomy Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 107 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in astronomy. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
University of California - Santa Cruz tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for astronomy majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 19,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 65 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UC Santa Cruz. Of these students, 23% were women and 40% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UC Santa Cruz graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of Colorado Boulder is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Roughly 37,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $13,910 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,849 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 60 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from CU - Boulder. Of these students, 42% were women and 22% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that CU - Boulder graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of California - Berkeley comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Roughly 42,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 49 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UC Berkeley. Around 48% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 48% were women. Data shows that UC Berkeley graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of Washington - Seattle Campus comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Roughly 48,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,524 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $17,514 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 43 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UW Seattle. About 47% of this group were women, and 39% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in astronomy at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make a median salary of 39,728.
Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Roughly 0 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $19,672 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $24,956 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 43 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from Penn State University Park. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 30% were women. Data shows that Penn State University Park graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of California - Los Angeles comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Roughly 44,500 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 32 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UCLA. Around 47% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 47% were women. University of California - Los Angeles astronomy graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,728.
The 7th most popular school in the country for astronomy majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Maryland - College Park. Each year, around 40,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,889 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $16,560 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 31 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UMCP. About 35% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that UMCP graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
Ohio State University - Main Campus is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Roughly 61,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,826 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,515 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 30 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from Ohio State. Of these students, 36% were women and 6% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Ohio State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of Florida comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Each year, around 53,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,477 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,770 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 28 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UF. About 53% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Florida astronomy graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,728.
The University of Texas at Austin comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 27 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UT Austin. About 48% of this group were women, and 41% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in astronomy at The University of Texas at Austin make a median salary of 39,728.
University of Wisconsin - Madison is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Roughly 44,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,644 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 26 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UW - Madison. About 25% of this group were women, and 11% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Wisconsin - Madison astronomy graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,728.
Florida Institute of Technology comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Each year, around 6,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $43,420 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $22,860 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 24 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from Florida Tech. About 52% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Florida Tech graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of Chicago is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Roughly 17,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,801 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $65,145 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UChicago. Around 41% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 41% were women. Data shows that UChicago graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
The 13th most popular school in the country for astronomy majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Each year, around 52,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,768 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $15,545 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 21 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UIUC. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 48% were women. Data shows that UIUC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
Whitman College is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Each year, around 1,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from Whitman. About 70% of this group were women, and 50% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in astronomy at Whitman College make a median salary of 39,728.
The 15th most popular school in the country for astronomy majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Each year, around 47,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $17,977 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $27,192 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from U-M. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 32% were women. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor astronomy graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,728.
University of Arizona is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Each year, around 45,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,546 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,718 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 19 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from University of Arizona. Of these students, 31% were women and 23% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that University of Arizona graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in astronomy. Each year, around 52,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $14,496 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,116 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 18 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UMN Twin Cities. About 41% of this group were women, and 12% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities astronomy graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $39,728.
University of Virginia - Main Campus is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in astronomy. Each year, around 25,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $18,823 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,118 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 18 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from University of Virginia. About 40% of this group were women, and 50% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that University of Virginia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
The 20th most popular school in the country for astronomy majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Massachusetts Amherst. Roughly 31,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $16,591 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $14,723 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 17 people received their bachelor's degree in astronomy from UMass Amherst. Of these students, 29% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UMass Amherst graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $39,728.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to astronomy that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 13,247 |
| Physics | 7,715 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 5,022 |
| Atmospheric Sciences | 828 |
| General Physical Sciences | 356 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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