Astronomy Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of celestial objects, space phenomena, and the universe.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$88K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Astronomy Overview
Study of celestial objects, space phenomena, and the universe.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
25%
Lifetime Premium
$500K
Female Graduates
30%
Astronomy Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$481,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($500,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Astronomy Salary Progression
Common Astronomy Careers
Astronomer
Research Scientist
Data Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Astronomy
#1
Caltech
#2
MIT
#3
Princeton
#4
Harvard
#5
University of Arizona
Related Majors
Astronomy Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Astronomy Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for astronomy programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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