by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Astronomy covers 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. Read on to learn the key facts every astronomy student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering astronomy programs.
In the U.S., astronomy is a popular field of study, with 876 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Astronomy Schools ranking analyzes these 83 schools to determine the best overall colleges for astronomy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of astronomy programs later in this article.
Programs in Astronomy develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations astronomy graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a astronomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a astronomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several astronomy degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 26 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 586 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 132 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 132 |
People currently working in careers related to astronomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.8% |
| Master’s degree | 25.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in astronomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in astronomy opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to astronomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to astronomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Astronomers | 130,193 | 8.3% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of astronomy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $41,600 |
| 4 years | $50,573 |
| 5 years | $61,687 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for astronomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers astronomy grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Astronomers | $106,445 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 83 different astronomy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased astronomy school rankings to help you.
Students interested in astronomy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astrophysics | 485 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other | 129 |
| Planetary Astronomy and Science | 90 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
