by our College Data Analytics TeamAstrophysics was the 598th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 460 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 77 over the prior year, a growth of 16.7%.
Our 2023 Best Astrophysics Schools ranking analyzes 17 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for astrophysics students. Explore this or one of our many other custom astrophysical sciences rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in astrophysics is talking to others to convey information effectively. Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most astrophysical sciences degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic astrophysics program qualifications, to serve in some astrophysical sciences careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different astrophysical sciences degree levels. Astrophysics programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest astrophysical sciences degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common astrophysical sciences degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to astrophysical sciences, with approximately 27.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for astrophysical sciences workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 29.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 27.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 25.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.6% |
55.3% of astrophysical sciences workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in astrophysics have received.
The education level required is different depending on the astrophysical sciences career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your astrophysical sciences degree? Astrophysics careers are expected to grow 10.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to astrophysics.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Physicists | 20,500 | 14.5% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Astronomers | 2,200 | 10.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for astrophysical sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for astrophysics graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers astrophysical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Physicists | $125,280 |
| Astronomers | $111,090 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
With over 87 different astrophysical sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased astrophysical sciences school rankings to help you with this.
Astrophysics is one of 3 different types of Astronomy & Astrophysics programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astronomy | 765 |
| Other Astronomy & Astrophysics | 95 |
| Planetary Astronomy & Science | 55 |
