“Space studies degree” sounds like one major connected to one industry. It is neither. The label covers programs that design vehicles, study the universe, analyze planetary data, and operate mission systems. Your career options depend on which of those jobs your curriculum actually prepares you to do.
To understand what you can do with a space studies degree, read the degree backward from the work. Start with the task you want on your desk, identify the occupation that owns that task, then check which degree level and technical experience employers request.
What can you do with a space studies degree?
There are three direct academic lanes in this directory. Aerospace engineering prepares you to design and analyze aircraft or spacecraft systems. Astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science prepare you to investigate physical questions with observations, models, code, and instruments. Space systems operations prepares you to plan, monitor, and support missions and ground systems.
Those lanes meet in real organizations. A spacecraft mission can include engineers, scientists, operators, technicians, software developers, data analysts, project staff, and communicators. The same employer can hire all of them while asking for very different evidence from each applicant.
| Degree direction | Work to investigate | Evidence that strengthens your application |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace engineering | Vehicle design, structures, propulsion, controls, systems, test, and analysis | Design projects, analysis code, test work, engineering teams, and internships |
| Astronomy or astrophysics | Research, scientific computing, observations, instrumentation, and data analysis | Research, physics depth, programming, statistics, posters, papers, and instrument work |
| Planetary science | Planetary data, remote sensing, field or laboratory science, modeling, and mission science | Research methods, geoscience or physics depth, code, instruments, and mission datasets |
| Space systems operations | Mission planning, command and control, ground systems, communications, and orbital operations | Operations exercises, systems knowledge, procedures, simulations, and technical communication |
What engineering jobs can you pursue in the space sector?
An aerospace engineering degree is the most direct match for aerospace engineer roles, but the work is split into specialties. You might focus on structures, propulsion, aerodynamics, flight mechanics, guidance and controls, systems, integration, testing, manufacturing, or mission analysis. Your electives and projects should make your chosen direction visible.
BLS reports 67,710 aerospace engineer jobs in its May 2025 release. The national wage distribution runs from $86,700 at the 10th percentile to $205,890 at the 90th percentile, with a $134,960 median. Use the salary guides to compare the full spread and state employment rather than treating the median as an entry-level offer.
What science careers follow astronomy or astrophysics?
Astronomy and astrophysics can lead toward research, observatory work, scientific programming, data analysis, instrument support, and education. Planetary science can add remote sensing, geoscience, atmospheric science, laboratory work, and mission datasets. Research roles tend to care about the questions you studied and the methods you can use.
The BLS astronomer category provides one narrow view of this path: 2,120 jobs, a $128,820 median, and a range from $78,010 at the 10th percentile to $195,190 at the 90th percentile. Research astronomer work usually requires graduate study. A bachelor’s can still build strong preparation for technical roles and for the next degree.
If research is your target, inspect faculty projects and the way undergraduates enter them. If data work is your target, inspect the required programming and statistics instead of assuming the major supplies both.
What do space operations graduates do?
Space operations work can involve mission planning, satellite command and control, ground stations, communications, orbital analysis, procedures, anomaly response, and coordination across technical teams. It rewards people who can stay precise under time pressure and communicate a technical state clearly.
The federal dataset used for this directory contains only 6 space systems operations records, so the program title deserves close inspection. Read the space operations degree guide before assuming every space studies curriculum teaches operational work.
Can you work in aerospace without becoming an engineer?
Yes. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians support testing, manufacturing, instrumentation, maintenance, data collection, and operations. BLS reports 11,280 jobs with a $82,890 median. Its national spread runs from $59,050 at the 10th percentile to $125,160 at the 90th percentile.
Technical support work is a separate occupation, not a lesser version of engineering. It can suit you if you want to work closer to equipment, tests, procedures, or production. Compare the job duties and education requirements attached to the actual role.
How do you turn a space degree into a strong job application?
Pick one target role before your final year and collect the repeated requirements from several job descriptions. Then use electives, research, clubs, design teams, internships, and independent projects to close the most important gaps. A generic enthusiasm for space cannot replace evidence that you can do the work.
Name the task.
“Work in space” is too broad. “Analyze thermal loads,” “reduce telescope data,” or “write mission procedures” gives you something to prepare for.
Produce inspectable work.
A repository, design report, research poster, test plan, data notebook, or technical brief lets someone see how you think.
Learn the tools in context.
Software is useful when you can explain the decision it helped you make, not when it sits alone in a skills list.
Use the school’s location.
Local research groups, employers, laboratories, and student teams can matter as much as the course catalog.
Which space studies degree level do you need?
A bachelor’s is the common entry credential for many engineering and technical roles. A master’s can deepen a specialty, help you change fields, or prepare you for work that expects graduate-level analysis. A research doctorate is built for original research and is the usual route toward independent academic research.
The current directory includes 123 bachelor’s records, 65 master’s records, 67 research-doctorate records, and 6 associate records. Compare the rankings by degree level, then use the bachelor’s versus master’s guide to choose the level that fits the job rather than buying more school by default.
The methodology explains why every program is ranked against the same field and degree level rather than against unrelated majors.
Questions readers ask
Frequently asked questions
Is space studies a useful degree?
Can you work at a space company with an astronomy degree?
What is the highest-paying job connected to space studies?
Do you need a doctorate to work in the space sector?
What should you minor in with a space studies degree?
Research note
How this guide was checked
Program counts come from the federal IPEDS program records used in this directory. Occupation figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release dated May 2025. Read the ranking and data methodology for the exact program boundaries and scoring rules.