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Astronomy at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Here, you'll find out more about the major, including such details as the number of graduates, what degree levels are offered, ethnicity of students, and more. We've also included details on how UIUC ranks compared to other colleges offering a major in astronomical sciences.

Go directly to any of the following sections:

• Available Degrees
• Rankings
• Student Demographics

Astronomy Degrees Available at UIUC

• Bachelor’s Degree in Astronomical Sciences
• Master’s Degree in Astronomical Sciences
• Doctorate Degree in Astronomical Sciences

UIUC Astronomical Sciences Rankings

UIUC is in the top 10% of the country for astronomical sciences. More specifically it was ranked #4 out of 38 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #2 in Illinois.

Ranking Type	Rank
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (With Aid)	1
Best Astronomy Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Veterans	2
Best Astronomy Bachelor’s Degree Schools	3
Best Astronomy Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Veterans	3
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (With Aid)	3
Highest Paid Doctor’s Degree Astronomy Graduates	3
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $0-$30k)	3
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy	3
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income Over $110k)	3
Best Astronomy Doctor’s Degree Schools	3
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $48-$75k)	3
Best Astronomy Schools	4
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (With Aid)	4
Best Astronomy Colleges for Veterans	4
Best Astronomy Graduate Degree Schools	4
Best Astronomy Graduate Degree Colleges for Veterans	4
Best Astronomy Master’s Degree Colleges for Veterans	4
Best Value Graduate Degree Colleges for Astronomy	4
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $30-$48k)	4
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (Income $0-$30k)	5
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy	5
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $48-$75k)	5
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $0-$30k)	5
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy	5
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $75-$110k)	5
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (Income $48-$75k)	6
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $30-$48k)	6
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (With Aid)	6
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $0-$30k)	7
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $48-$75k)	7
Highest Paid Master’s Degree Astronomy Graduates	8
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy	9
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (Income $30-$48k)	9
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $75-$110k)	9
Highest Paid Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy Graduates	9
Best Astronomy Master’s Degree Schools	9
Highest Paid Astronomy Graduates	10
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income Over $110k)	10
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (Income $75-$110k)	11
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income Over $110k)	11
Best Value Colleges for Astronomy (Income Over $110k)	12
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $30-$48k)	12
Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy (Income $75-$110k)	14

Popularity of Astronomical Sciences at UIUC

During the 2020-2021 academic year, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign handed out 21 bachelor's degrees in astronomy. This is a decrease of 38% over the previous year when 34 degrees were handed out.

In 2021, 1 students received their master’s degree in astronomical sciences from UIUC. This makes it the #20 most popular school for astronomical sciences master’s degree candidates in the country.

In addition, 5 students received their doctoral degrees in astronomical sciences in 2021, making the school the #5 most popular school in the United States for this category of students.

UIUC Astronomical Sciences Students

Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the astronomical sciences majors at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

UIUC Astronomy Bachelor’s Program

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 21 students earned a bachelor's degree in astronomical sciences from UIUC. About 19% of these graduates were women and the other 81% were men.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor's in astronomical sciences.

Ethnic Background	Number of Students
Asian	2
Black or African American	0
Hispanic or Latino	4
White	8
Non-Resident Aliens	7
Other Races	0

UIUC Astronomy Master’s Program

All of the 1 students who graduated with a Master’s in astronomical sciences from UIUC in 2021 were women.

The majority of master's degree recipients in this major at UIUC are white. In the most recent graduating class for which data is available, 100% of students fell into this category.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a master's in astronomical sciences.

Ethnic Background	Number of Students
Asian	0
Black or African American	0
Hispanic or Latino	0
White	1
Non-Resident Aliens	0
Other Races	0

References

• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• Image Credit: By Beyond My ken under License

More about our data sources and methodologies.