Why this directory exists
Schools use names such as aerospace engineering, astrophysics, planetary science, and space operations. Search results often flatten those programs into one list. But the coursework, degree requirements, and career routes are different. You need to know whether a program studies the universe, engineers flight hardware, or prepares people to operate mission systems before the numbers mean anything.
Space Studies Programs separates those fields and degree levels first. It then ranks each program inside the peer group where the comparison makes sense. An astrophysics doctorate is never scored directly against an aerospace engineering bachelor’s degree.
Who researches and edits the site
Taylor Rupe founded Space Studies Programs and built the data pipeline, school-page research system, scoring model, and site. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Computer Science from Oregon State University. He works as a software engineer and publishes education research through Savo Group.
His role here is public-data research and technical publishing. The rankings show their field boundaries, inputs, and weights so you can judge the method directly. Academic, admissions, and career decisions should be confirmed with the school and the relevant professional organizations.
How programs are researched
The directory publishes 261 federal program records from 127 institutions across 41 state directories. A record is published only after it is matched to an official program, catalog, or department page beyond the school homepage.
Every published ranking card links to that official source. The school’s published degree name takes priority over the broader federal CIP label, while awards, score, tuition, and institution outcomes remain tied to the federal record.
How the rankings work
Every record receives a national peer score inside its own CIP field and degree level. The model uses federal awards and institution data, then reports the record’s exact position within that peer group. State pages order those peer scores without changing the underlying calculation.
The ranking methodology publishes the included CIP codes, scoring factors, weights, and source dates. Schools cannot purchase a higher position, and sponsored placements sit outside the ranked list.
Sources and corrections
Program records and institution data come from the U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS release. Program boundaries use the federal CIP taxonomy. Wage figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Curriculum and admissions details come from the official school pages linked on each source-backed card.
Programs change. If you administer one of these programs or spot a detail that needs correction, email help@hakia.com with the program name, page URL, and the official school source. Corrections are checked against that source before publication.
How the site is funded
Space Studies Programs may receive compensation when a reader requests information from a featured school. Sponsored placements are labeled and remain separate from the rankings. Compensation does not change a school’s score or position.