Are you always looking up to the stars? Want to study Astronomy programs in the USA? If you have a passion for science, with a special interest in space and physics, consider majoring in astronomy. Here we have created a list for you which has the Best Colleges for Astronomy in the United State that can lead to the career of your dreams.
Whether you’re looking for a public or private college and university, there’s a variety of schools that offer this astronomy program that challenges students to learn about space. Scroll down to see all mentioned top-ranked colleges for astronomy in the U.S. that offer excellent bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or a Ph.D. All the Best!!
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is often ranked among the world’s top universities. MIT adopted a European polytechnic university model and stressed laboratory instruction in applied science and engineering. Astronomy Department, undergraduate academic programs in astronomy at MIT reside both in the Department of Physics (astrophysics) and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (planetary astronomy). To study astronomy when majoring in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, one would choose the Planetary Science option. Astronomy minor is jointly offered by both departments.
Founded In: 1861
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $64,612
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 617-253-1000
Website: http://web.mit.edu/astronomy/
Harvard University
The Astrophysics Concentration and new Secondary Field in Astrophysics offer small class sizes, the highest faculty to student ratio of the physical science departments, and the opportunity to travel to remote astronomical observatories. It also offers a rich and varied program in theoretical, observational and experimental graduate work leading to the Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Students are not accepted for a separate master’s degree program. The program of graduate study is designed to make Harvard Ph.D. students first-rate researchers with a broad knowledge of astrophysics and competence in teaching.
Founded In: 1636
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: 45,278 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 617-495-3752
Website: https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/
Stanford University
Although Stanford University does not have a degree program in astronomy or astrophysics, teaching and research in various branches of these disciplines are ongoing activities in the departments of Applied Physics, Physics, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL). Astronomy courses numbered 100-199 serve the student interested in an initial scientific study of astronomy. The University does not offer a separate undergraduate major in Astronomy. Students desiring guidance in developing an astronomy-oriented course of study should contact the chair of the Astronomy Program Committee.
Founded In: 1885
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: 46,320 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (650) 723-1439
Website: https://exploredegrees.stanford.edu/schoolofhumanitiesandsciences/astronomy/
Princeton University
The department offers an outstanding program for astronomy majors at Princeton University. The Department of Astrophysical Sciences has two divisions, astronomy, and plasma physics. The astronomy division offers undergraduate and graduates degrees, the plasma division offers a graduate degree. The department hosts one of the top graduate programs in astronomy and astrophysics and was ranked #1 in the country in a recent National Academy Report. A vibrant community of faculty, research staff, and students work on a wide range of topics in astronomy and astrophysics.
Founded In: 1746
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $51,870
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 609-258-2307
Website: https://web.astro.princeton.edu/
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
The Department of Astronomy offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in a wide variety of fields, including theoretical and observational astrophysics; infrared, optical, and radio astronomy. A considerable amount of research and teaching related to astronomy is done in other units at Berkeley, including the Space Science Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and the Physics Department. The Department of Astronomy endeavors to meet that need by providing students access to a broad spectrum of courses taught by prize-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, active scientists and researchers, and opportunities to conduct research projects as a means of contributing to the subjects they are studying. The UC Berkeley Department of Astronomy has a long history of excellence in the field of Astronomy; with our award-winning, renowned faculty and access to numerous state-of-the-art observing and research facilities
Founded In: 1868
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $16,986.25
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 510-642-5275
Website: https://astro.berkeley.edu/
University of Wyoming
The university offers three undergraduate and three graduate degree programs: Physics BS, Physics BA, Astronomy BS, Physics MS, Physics Teaching MS, and Physics Ph.D. Its research efforts are broadly focused on condensed matter physics, materials science, and astronomy. Its astronomy faculty and students have exceptional access to observing opportunities at Apache Point Observatory, the Wyoming Infrared Observatory, and Red Buttes Observatory. Students wishing to pursue careers related to astronomy/astrophysics should complete a B.S. in Astronomy. The graduate Ph.D. program in Physics & Astronomy is a small, personal, yet challenging environment where graduate students will receive advanced instruction. Its astronomy graduate students have the opportunity to carry out substantial observational thesis projects.
Founded In: 1886
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $17,490
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 307-766-6150
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/physics/
University of Florida
The Department of Astronomy offers two undergraduate degree options. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in astrophysics is designed for students who intend to pursue careers in a scientific or technical field by continuing to study astronomy, astrophysics or physics at the graduate level or to commence study in some related field such as planetary science. The B.A. in astronomy requires a total of 41 credits; the B.S. in astrophysics requires a minimum of 62 credits. All students are required to take 10 core courses in mathematics, physics, and astronomy. Students pursuing the B.A. have fewer additional required astronomy and physics courses, which offers greater flexibility for taking courses in other disciplines.
Founded In: 1905
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state: $6,381 Out-of-state: $27,598
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 352-392-1374
Website: https://www.astro.ufl.edu/
University of Hawaii, Hilo
The UH Hilo academic astronomy program leverages the astronomy infrastructure of Mauna Kea and the University Park of Science and Technology to provide students with knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics, and training in modern methods of observational astronomy. The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo offers an excellent undergraduate program within the Natural Sciences Division, designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in physics, astronomy, and other sciences. The B.S. degree program provides the skills necessary for students seeking careers in astronomy. The Physics and Astronomy Department is located in the Science and Technology Building on the UH Hilo campus. The building houses both the Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry departments. Physics & Astronomy now has new classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and a control room to remotely control telescopes at the summit of Mauna Kea and Haleakalā.
Founded In: 1947
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $20,608
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 808-932-7799
Website: http://www.astro.uhh.hawaii.edu/
San Diego State University
San Diego State University has the only Astronomy Department in the California State University system and is the only campus to offer Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Astronomy. SDSU offers two degrees at the bachelor’s level with specialization in Astronomy: the B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the B.S. degree in Applied Arts and Sciences. The Department is actively engaged in research and is highly committed to student education. The Astronomy department also offers opportunities for financial support and recognition to our undergraduates for exceptional academic achievement or service activities. It also offers graduate study leading to the Masters of Science degree in astronomy.
Founded In: 1897
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $14,812
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 619-594-5200
Website: http://astronomy.sdsu.edu/
Valdosta State University
Astronomy is the study of how the Universe works and is a subspecialty of physics. They offer a BS in Astronomy as well as a minor. Astronomy is the oldest science. For the astronomy major, we offer courses in general astronomy and astrophysics, the solar system, and observational techniques. Graduates of the astronomy program at Valdosta State University have gone on to pursue graduate degrees in astronomy, physics, and atmospheric physics. Its diverse faculty specializes in solar system astronomy, interstellar medium, stellar evolution, active galaxies, and cosmology.
Founded In: 1906
Ranking: 10th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $30,997
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 229-333-5800
Website: https://www.valdosta.edu/phy/astronomy-welcome.php
