by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Astrophysics involves the study of Astrophysics. A Program That Focuses On The Theoretical And Observational Study Of The Structure, Properties, And Behavior Of Stars, Star Systems And Clusters, Stellar Life Cycles, And Related Phenomena. Includes Instruction In Cosmology, Plasma Kinetics, Stellar Physics, Convolution And Non-Equilibrium Radiation Transfer Theory, Non-Euclidean Geometries, Mathematical Modeling, Galactic Structure Theory, And Relativistic Astronomy. Read on to learn the important information every astrophysics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering astrophysics programs.
Nationwide, astrophysics is a popular field of study, with 485 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Astrophysics Schools ranking analyzes these 49 schools to determine the best overall colleges for astrophysics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of astrophysics programs later in this article.
Studies in Astrophysics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations astrophysics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a astrophysics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a astrophysics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several astrophysics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 375 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 53 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 57 |
People currently working in careers related to astrophysics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.1% |
| Master’s degree | 23.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in astrophysics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying astrophysics opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to astrophysics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to astrophysics.
| 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% |
| Physicists | 118,738 | 8.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of astrophysics 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 astrophysics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers astrophysics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Physicists | $111,776 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Astronomers | $106,445 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
With 49 different astrophysics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased astrophysics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in astrophysics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astronomy | 876 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other | 129 |
| Planetary Astronomy and Science | 90 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
