by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 6 U.S. colleges awarded 193 degrees and certificates in Space Systems Operations. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 91% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $89,751 one year after completing, rising to $106,353 after four years.
Studying Space Systems Operations explores Space Systems Operations. A Program That Focuses On The Design, Development, And Operation Of Missiles, Satellites And Other Space-Based Systems For Military Purposes. Includes Instruction In The Military Applications Of Space, Space Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Architecture, Orbital Mechanics, Launch And Retrieval Systems, Ground Support Systems, Satellite Communications, And Space-Based Sensor Systems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, space systems operations draws strong interest, with 193 degrees awarded annually. 6 colleges award space systems operations degrees, an average of 32 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 71.
By level, the 193 awards include 18 bachelor’s degrees and 175 master’s degrees.
Women earned 29% of space systems operations degrees and certificates in the latest year (56 of 193). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (122) and Hispanic or Latino (27), and international students earned 3.
How long a space systems operations degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 18 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 175 |
Space Systems Operations has 5 similar majors in the Military Technologies & Sciences field, which together award 160 degrees a year; the largest are Military Applied Sciences, Other (97), Undersea Warfare (32) and Combat Systems Engineering (19). Browse all Military Technologies & Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Military Applied Sciences, Other | 97 |
| Undersea Warfare | 32 |
| Combat Systems Engineering | 19 |
| Engineering Acoustics | 6 |
| Operational Oceanography | 6 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.