Astrophysics
CIP Code: 40.0202A astrophysics degree prepares graduates for careers in Physicists, Natural sciences managers, Astronomers and more. 49 colleges and universities offer this program.
Astrophysics Salary by College
Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $68,333 four years after graduating (middle half: $44,049–$98,743). Where you study it matters: across 4 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $65,987 to $90,943.
Sort by:
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | 1 yr after | Median debt | Outcome Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | $90,943 | $82,752 | $54,746 | $19,500 | A+ |
| 2 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO | $72,698 | $67,987 | $45,066 | $21,500 | B+ |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA | $66,759 | $67,894 | $39,728 | $24,614 | A |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $65,987 | $67,089 | $29,404 | — | A+ |
Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.
What Can You Do With a Astrophysics Degree?
Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:
Best Colleges for Astrophysics
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in astrophysics.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 28 | A+ |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 56 | A |
| 3 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 34 | A |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 33 | B+ |
| 5 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 31 | B+ |
| 6 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | 36 | B |
| 7 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 34 | B |
Largest Astrophysics Programs
Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most astrophysics graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 56 | A |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | 36 | B |
| 3 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 34 | A |
| 4 | Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 34 | B |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison, WI | 33 | B+ |
| 6 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 31 | B+ |
| 7 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 28 | A+ |
About Astrophysics
Astrophysics is a degree program offered at 49 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 485 students graduate with this degree.
Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as physicists, natural sciences managers, astronomers, atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary.