Astrophysics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the fundamental laws governing the universe through a rigorous academic program in Astrophysics, designed to investigate the formation, evolution, and dynamics of celestial objects and large-scale cosmic structures. This interdisciplinary field combines advanced theoretical frameworks with empirical observation to decode the physical processes shaping stars, galaxies, and the cosmos itself.
- Cosmology: The study of the origin, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe, including its large-scale structure and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
- Plasma Kinetics: The analysis of ionized gases under extreme conditions, essential for understanding stellar interiors and interstellar environments.
- Stellar Physics: The investigation of physical mechanisms within stars, including nuclear fusion, energy transport, and internal pressure dynamics.
- Convolution and Non-Equilibrium Radiation Transfer Theory: Advanced computational methods used to model how radiation interacts with matter in complex astrophysical environments.
- Non-Euclidean Geometries: Mathematical frameworks that describe curved spacetime, critical for applying Einstein’s theory of general relativity in astrophysical contexts.
- Mathematical Modeling: The development and application of equations and simulations to represent physical systems across scales, from individual stars to entire galaxies.
- Galactic Structure Theory: The study of how stars, gas, and dark matter organize into spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies, and the forces shaping their evolution.
- Relativistic Astronomy: The exploration of astronomical phenomena under conditions where relativistic effects—such as time dilation and gravitational lensing—become significant.
Astrophysics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Astrophysics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Astrophysics degrees, including Physicists, Natural Sciences Managers and Astronomers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 135,250 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physicists 19-2012 | $166,290 | $80,020 - $239,200 | 21,340 | $79.95 |
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Astronomers 19-2011 | $132,170 | $70,730 - $191,880 | 1,560 | $63.54 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
Astrophysics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $82,780 in Delaware to $166,115 in Massachusetts—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 135,250 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Astrophysics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 49 institutions offering Astrophysics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Astrophysics is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (56 graduates), University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (36 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (34 graduates), Princeton University (34 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 485 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
|
21 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Pasadena, California | Private | caltech.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
14 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
11 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Franklin and Marshall College (F&M) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | fandm.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Harvard University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Haverford College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Haverford, Pennsylvania | Private | haverford.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Lycoming College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Private | lycoming.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
3 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Oglethorpe University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | oglethorpe.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAF) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fairbanks, Alaska | Public | uaf.edu |
| Agnes Scott College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Decatur, Georgia | Private | agnesscott.edu |
| DePaul University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
1 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Calvin University |
Other Award
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Siena College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Astrophysics programs
How much can I earn with a Astrophysics degree?
Salaries for Astrophysics graduates vary by role and location. Physicists earn a median of $166,290 annually, while Natural Sciences Managers earn around $161,180. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $166,115 compared to $82,780 in Delaware. Approximately 135,250 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Astrophysics programs?
Currently 49 accredited institutions offer Astrophysics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (56 graduates), University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (36 graduates), and Michigan State University (MSU) (34 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Astrophysics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 210 in 2010 to 485 in 2023-24. This represents a 131% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Astrophysics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Physicists, Natural Sciences Managers, and Astronomers. Related occupations employ approximately 135,250 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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