U.S. program rankings
Best Space Studies Programs by State
Compare space studies degree programs for building spacecraft, studying the universe, and operating space systems. This directory keeps engineering, science, and operations distinct so you can choose the program that fits the work you want to do.
261federal program records
127institutions
41states with programs
Start with the decision you are making
Choose a National, Degree-Level, or State Ranking
These space studies degree programs are organized so the national list compares every field. Degree rankings keep bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs separate, while state pages narrow the search to places where you can study.
All programs National space studies rankings By degree Compare the credential you actually want By location Space studies programs in 41 states
261 records across 127 institutions, ordered within field and degree-level peer groups.
Open the national rankings →Use the same ranking boundary with state-specific program mixes, school research, costs, and wage context.
Find your state →Choose your part of the mission
Space Studies Programs Lead to Three Different Kinds of Work
Space studies degree programs do not map to one federal major. Schools report them under several CIP codes, and those codes describe very different classrooms and career routes.
BUILD
01
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering
Programs focused on aircraft, launch vehicles, spacecraft, propulsion, guidance, and related systems.
- Federal records
- 127
- CIP scope
- 14.0201–14.0202
DISCOVER
02
Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Planetary Science
Programs that study planets, stars, galaxies, cosmology, and the physical systems beyond Earth.
- Federal records
- 128
- CIP scope
- 40.0201–40.0203 and 40.0299
OPERATE
03
Space Systems Operations
Programs centered on satellites, ground systems, orbital operations, communications, and mission support.
- Federal records
- 6
- CIP scope
- 29.0305
Rankings for a specific constraint
Compare Delivery, Cost, Institution Type, and Mission
These rankings answer narrower questions with the right evidence. Delivery and institutional identity use official pages, while cost and public control come from federal institution records.
13 verified records
Best Online Space Studies Programs
Programs whose official pages explicitly describe online delivery.
Compare online programs → 25 institutions comparedMost Affordable Space Studies Programs
Institution tuition provides a consistent first cost screen before aid and program fees.
Compare tuition → 165 program recordsBest Public Universities for Space Studies
Programs at 77 public institutions, kept inside the same peer-scoring model.
Compare public universities → 7 program recordsBest Faith-Based Space Studies Programs
6 universities with an official religious identity and qualifying space programs.
Compare faith-based programs → 4 program recordsBest Service Academy Space Studies Programs
Programs reported by the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and West Point.
Compare academy programs →Browse by state
Best Space Studies Programs by State
Browse space studies degree programs in all 41 states with a matching federal record. Each state page ranks programs within the national peer model, adds school-page research, and keeps institution-wide facts separate.
West
11 statesWest Space Studies Programs
Midwest
9 statesMidwest Space Studies Programs
South
14 statesSouth Space Studies Programs
Northeast
7 statesNortheast Space Studies Programs
Counts represent field-and-degree records. One institution can contribute more than one record.
Career context
What Space Careers Pay Across the U.S.
A salary is not a promise, and these occupations do not share one education route. The full wage spread shows how wide the market is.
May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Aerospace engineers$134,960national median
$86,700 at the 10th percentile to $205,890 at the 90th, across 67,710 jobs. Aerospace engineering is the direct degree route.
See aerospace engineer salary data →Astronomers$128,820national median
$78,010 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th, across 2,120 jobs. Research roles usually require graduate study.
See astronomer salary data →Aerospace technologists & technicians$82,890national median
$59,050 at the 10th percentile to $125,160 at the 90th, across 11,280 jobs.
See aerospace technician salary data →Make sense of the degree names
Space Studies Degree Guides
Use these guides before you compare schools. They separate similar-sounding majors, show how degree levels change the route, and connect programs to actual occupations.
Degree comparison
Browse every degree guide Aerospace Engineering vs. Astrophysics: Which Degree Fits You?
Compare aerospace engineering vs astrophysics by coursework, career direction, graduate study, and national program and salary data.
Read the guide → Science degree comparisonAstronomy vs. Astrophysics: What Changes in the Degree?
Compare astronomy vs astrophysics majors by curriculum, research style, program titles, graduate study, and career direction.
Read the guide → Career planningWhat Can You Do with a Space Studies Degree?
See what you can do with a space studies degree across engineering, science, mission operations, data, and technical support careers.
Read the guide →New data report: 5 of 15 online aerospace master’s programs can be finished entirely online.
A directory with boundaries
See Exactly Why a Program Is Included
Our methodology publishes every CIP code, explains each data field, and keeps broad aviation programs outside this directory.