by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, planetary astronomy and science was the 1,082 most popular major nationwide with 55 degrees awarded. This represents a 7.3% reduction in planetary astronomy and science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 59.
This year's Best Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools ranking compares 2 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of planetary astronomy and science programs later in this article.
Planetary Astronomy & Science majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most planetary astronomy and science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific planetary astronomy and science careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different planetary astronomy and science degree levels. Planetary Astronomy & Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest planetary astronomy and science degree you can get. Planetary Astronomy & Science programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| 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 planetary astronomy and science, with approximately 28.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to planetary astronomy and science tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 29.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 28.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 25.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 11.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.1% |
About 56.3% of workers in careers related to planetary astronomy and science obtain at least doctor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in planetary astronomy and science have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which planetary astronomy and science career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your planetary astronomy and science degree? Planetary Astronomy & Science careers are expected to grow 9.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to planetary astronomy and science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Astronomers | 2,200 | 10.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for planetary astronomy and science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for planetary astronomy and science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers planetary astronomy and science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Astronomers | $111,090 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
With over 21 different planetary astronomy and science 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 planetary astronomy and science school rankings to help you with this.
Planetary Astronomy & Science is one of 3 different types of Astronomy & Astrophysics programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astronomy | 765 |
| Astrophysics | 460 |
| Other Astronomy & Astrophysics | 95 |
