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Astronomy Degree in OFallon, MO — Salary & ROI 2026

Astronomy degree analysis for OFallon, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$44K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$77K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

7.4 yrs

in OFallon

Cost of Living

87.3

index (100 = avg)

Astronomy in OFallon, MO Overview

While OFallon has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Astronomy students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $13,914/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Astronomy enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Astrophysics and Telescope Operation. The adjusted starting salary in OFallon is approximately $43,650, growing to $76,824 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

4

Public Tuition

$10,200/yr

Private Tuition

$30,000/yr

Room & Board

$13,914/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,699/yr

Unemployment

3.2%

Graduation Rate

63%

Astronomy Salary in OFallon (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for OFallon's cost of living index of 87.3 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$43,650($-6,350 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$76,824($-11,176 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$96,030($-13,970 vs national)

Note: National average Astronomy salary: $50,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $110,000 senior level.OFallon adjustment factor: 0.87x based on the local cost of living index.

Astronomy ROI Calculator for OFallon

Estimate your return on investment for a Astronomy degree using local OFallon tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $30,000

OFallon avg aid: $11,699/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$96,456

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,095

vs HS diploma in OFallon

ROI Payback Period

7.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in OFallon

$340,044

Lifetime earnings premium ($436,500) minus total education cost ($96,456)

Student Loan Payoff for Astronomy in OFallon

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$96,456
Monthly Payment$1,095
Total Interest$34,973
% of Monthly Income30%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$96,456
Monthly Payment$1,887
Total Interest$16,780
Interest Savings$18,192

Colleges in OFallon for Astronomy

OFallon State University

public

$10,900/yr

$43,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

OFallon Community College

$5,560/yr

Top Employers for Astronomy in OFallon

OFallon offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Astronomy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NASASpaceXJPLNOAANational Observatories

Key OFallon Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Astronomy Job Titles

AstronomerResearch ScientistData Analyst

Astronomy Degree in OFallon — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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Compare Astronomy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in OFallon.

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