Bright outlook
Science
Physicists
- Median pay
- $172,250
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Astronomy and Astrophysics
CIP40.02
112 colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 112
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $72,698
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $19,500
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 10
- Associate's
- 34
- Bachelor's
- 112
- Master's
- 46
- Doctoral
- 47
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 4
What it covers
About Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy and Astrophysics is part of Physical Sciences: instructional programs that focus on the scientific study of inanimate objects, processes of matter and energy, and associated phenomena.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 40.02.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 40.02.
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Planetary Astronomy and Science
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 10 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Associate's | 34 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 112 | $72,6984 yrs after · 3 colleges | $19,50016 colleges |
| Master's | 46 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 47 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 4 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public · 51 graduates
$90,943
debt $18,600
- 2
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · Public · 63 graduates
$72,698
debt $19,108
- 3
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public · 27 graduates
$65,987
debt not reported
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Astronomy and Astrophysics by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Management
Clinical Research Coordinators
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Bright outlook
Management
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Science
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Management
Water Resource Specialists
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Bright outlook
Science
Astronomers
- Median pay
- $128,820
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
- Critical Thinking
Education
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $103,170
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
Education
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $100,310
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Science
More in Physical Sciences
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about Astronomy and Astrophysics
How many colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Astronomy and Astrophysics at these degree levels: certificate (10 colleges), associate's (34 colleges), bachelor's (112 colleges), master's (46 colleges), doctoral (47 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (4 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Astronomy and Astrophysics earn $72,698 a year four years after finishing, across 3 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn the most?
University of California-Berkeley reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Astronomy and Astrophysics: $90,943 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.