Astronomy and Astrophysics: is it worth it?
A 0–100 score blending this major’s national earnings, ROI and typical debt. How it’s scored.
National picture across 2 college programs, at a typical net price.
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
What Astronomy and Astrophysics pays
Career outlook for Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates
The job market for the occupations Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates typically enter, projected through 2034 — from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is the demand side, complementing the IRS-verified graduate earnings above.
Top jobs for this major
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | Growth to 2034 | Median pay | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural sciences managers | 104,300 | +3.7% | $161,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Physicists | 24,600 | +4.0% | $166,290 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Physics teachers, postsecondary | 17,100 | +2.5% | $97,360 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | 14,000 | +2.6% | $101,390 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Astronomers | 1,800 | +2.2% | $132,170 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections (2024–34) & the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupation pay is the national median wage for the role — not the same as graduate earnings, which we draw from IRS records.
Astronomy and Astrophysics vs similar majors
How Astronomy and Astrophysics stacks up against the closest fields in Physical Sciences on pay, debt, ROI and the DR Rating. The best figure in each row is highlighted.
| Astronomy and Astrophysics Physical Sciences · this major | Materials Sciences | Physics | Chemistry | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR Rating | 49 D | 90 A | 91 A | 79 B |
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return | Strong return |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $61,538 | $89,157 | $88,303 | $73,122 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $42,397 | $72,216 | $50,324 | $46,383 |
| ROI vs cost | +106% | +449% | +444% | +252% |
| Typical debt | $23,057 | $23,224 | $20,935 | $21,439 |
| Colleges offering it | 2 | 3 | 64 | 241 |
Astronomy and Astrophysics earnings over time
National median earnings one year after graduating, by cohort year — the consistent measure available across the federal data’s history.
Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Ranked by the ROI of this major at each college — its graduate earnings against the cost.
| # | College | Credential | Earnings (5 yr) | Median debt | 10-yr ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO | Associate's | $62,122 | $21,500 | +193% | Strong return |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA | Associate's | $60,953 | $24,614 | +114% | Strong return |
Related majors
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.