Astrophysics Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of the physical properties and behavior of celestial objects and the universe.
Starting Salary
$85K
median
Mid-Career
$125K
salary
ROI Payback
3 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2%
rate
Astrophysics Overview
Study of the physical properties and behavior of celestial objects and the universe.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's/Master's
Graduation Rate
85%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
6%
Lifetime Premium
$1500K
Female Graduates
25%
Astrophysics Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$20,250
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$20,250
after scholarships
ROI Payback
0 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$1,479,750
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,500,000) minus net degree cost ($20,250)
Astrophysics Salary Progression
Common Astrophysics Careers
Astrophysicist
Research Scientist
Data Scientist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Astrophysics
#1
MIT
#2
Caltech
#3
Princeton
#4
Harvard
#5
Stanford
Related Majors
Astrophysics 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.
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