STEM Specialization

Astronomy

Astronomy graduates earn $68,333 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Natural Sciences Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

Explore Program

About Astronomy

This page covers Astronomy as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Physical Sciences and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Astronomy is a focused area of study within Physical Sciences. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $68,333 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 161 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,573 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $39,728
Median Earnings · 4yr: $68,333
Colleges Offering: 161
Graduates / Year: 1,573
Avg Net Price / yr: $19,031

How Much Do Astronomy Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Astronomy, a typical graduate earns $68,333, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,049 and $98,743, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $39,728 at one year out to $68,333 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$39,728

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$68,333

4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$69,728

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Astronomy graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.

$44,049 25th pct.

$68,333 Median

$98,743 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $68,333 against an estimated $76,124 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 113 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,573 students who complete Astronomy programs each year, the majority (66%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

66%

Bachelor's 66%

Doctorate 16%

Master's 16%

What Can You Do With an Astronomy Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Astronomy graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Physicist pays the most at $172,250/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what a Physicist earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +7.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Physicist

$172,250

$112K $223K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,300 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Science Mathematics Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.

↗ +8.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 9,200 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

↗ +2.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Earth Science Professors

$103,170

$77K $136K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 800 openings/yr 10K employed nationally

Speaking Science Critical Thinking Instructing Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as structural geology, micrometeorology, and atmospheric thermodynamics.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

↗ +2.4% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Physics Teachers

$100,310

$74K $133K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,100 openings/yr 13K employed nationally

Instructing Science Speaking Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

Top Colleges for Astronomy

Not sure where to study Astronomy? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at University of Colorado Boulder, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public	106	78.1%	$25,346	$69,738
2	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public	56	11%	$13,481	$92,446
3	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	53	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
4	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	52	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
5	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	51	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
6	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	51	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
7	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA · Public	51	65.8%	$17,890	$68,396
8	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	49	9%	$12,548	$82,511
9	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	43	60.6%	$32,875	$63,435
10	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	41	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
11	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	38	4%	$21,590	$102,491
12	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX · Public	36	26.6%	$19,857	$75,121
13	Yale University New Haven, CT · Nonprofit	36	3.9%	$23,777	$100,533
14	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	35	42.4%	$14,355	$81,054
15	University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public	33	45.2%	$17,354	$73,792
16	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	32	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
17	Princeton University Princeton, NJ · Nonprofit	32	4.6%	$6,128	$110,066
18	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA · Public	30	59.7%	$22,383	$71,631
19	University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	30	4.5%	$14,860	$91,885
20	Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL · Nonprofit	30	57.7%	$35,639	$43,137

View all colleges

Ranked by Astronomy graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of an Astronomy program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if an Astronomy degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Astronomy Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Astronomy a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Above-average earnings Four-year median of $68,333 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $39,728 at graduation to $68,333 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 12,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Astronomy Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Astronomy graduates earn?

$68,333 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,049 and $98,743, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for an Astronomy degree?

$39,728 in the first year out. That grows to $68,333 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with an Astronomy degree?

Physicist is one path, and it pays a median of $172,250 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does an Astronomy program take?

Four years of full-time study for an Astronomy bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.

How many colleges offer Astronomy?

161 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is an Astronomy degree worth it?

$68,333 median earnings four years out against $19,031 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Astronomy and Physical Sciences?

Astronomy is the narrower of the two: Physical Sciences covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Astronomy-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Astronomy graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Astronomy graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Astronomy graduates?

Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Astronomy graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +5.1% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers are among the strongest-growth roles at +8.2%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.