by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, astronomy was the 479th most popular major nationwide with 765 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 42 over the prior year, a growth of 5.5%.
Our 2023 Best Astronomy Schools ranking analyzes 36 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for astronomy students. Explore this or one of our many other custom astronomical sciences rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in astronomy is talking to others to convey information effectively. 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 astronomical sciences degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific astronomical sciences careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Astronomical Sciences degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in astronomy to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common astronomical 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 astronomical sciences, with approximately 28.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for astronomical sciences workers below.
| 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% |
56.3% of astronomical sciences workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in astronomy have received.
This of course varies depending on which astronomical sciences career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your astronomical sciences degree? Astronomy careers are expected to grow 9.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to astronomy.
| 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 astronomical sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for astronomy graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers astronomical sciences 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 183 different astronomical 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 astronomical sciences school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Astronomy & Astrophysics area of study, Astronomy has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astrophysics | 460 |
| Other Astronomy & Astrophysics | 95 |
| Planetary Astronomy & Science | 55 |
