SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Colorado program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Colorado

Compare the best space studies programs in Colorado across 6 degree records and 2 institutions. Each program is scored within its own field and degree-level peer group, then reviewed through either matched school material or its federal record.

Data reviewed August 29, 2026 · Edited by Taylor Rupe

6program records
2institutions
560awards recorded
2cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Colorado, Ranked

The rank follows each program’s national peer score. Program cards lead with record-specific editorial. School-page claims link to the matching official source, while federal field, award, cost, and outcome records stay clearly labeled. The full scoring boundary is in the methodology.

Rank #1 Score 85.8

United States Air Force Academy

Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering

space studies programs in Colorado · USAF Academy · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Air Force Academy cadets study aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, structures, materials, and controls through a design-build-fly aeronautical engineering program.

The senior capstone offers aircraft or aircraft-engine design sequences, supported by wind tunnels, jet engines, experimental methods, flight testing, and summer research opportunities.

A design-build-fly approach carries classroom engineering into hands-on aeronautics work, and cadets address real design problems in the Academy laboratory. The bachelor’s curriculum is accredited by ABET under the general engineering criteria and the program criteria for aerospace engineering and similarly named engineering programs.

The federal aerospace bachelor’s row reports 125 awards and an 85.8 score, corresponding to position 14 among 73 national peers.

Published program details
  • Design-build-fly approach
  • Aircraft design capstone
  • Wind tunnels and jet engines
  • ABET-accredited aeronautical degree
  • Summer research opportunities
Institution context
Graduation rate
88%
Admission rate
14%
Enrollment
4,114

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: usafa.edu.

Rank #2 Score 75.5

United States Air Force Academy

Bachelor’s in Space Systems Operations

USAF Academy · Public · Space operations · CIP 29.0305

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Program summary

The Air Force Academy’s Space Systems Research Center gives cadets hands-on satellite design, testing, flight, avionics simulation, and orbital operations experience.

Cadets build Department of Defense technology-demonstration satellites through capstone work, while the Cadet Space Operations Squadron handles daily operations for on-orbit FalconSAT missions.

The Space Systems Research Center carries projects through satellite design, construction, testing, and flight. Its capstone teams include cadets from multiple majors, so spacecraft engineering and operational work meet inside one sustained project environment rather than being separated into unrelated classroom and mission activities.

The federal space systems operations bachelor’s row reports 4 awards and a 75.5 score, corresponding to position 1 among 2 national peers.

Published program details
  • Cadet-built satellite missions
  • Avionics testing and simulation
  • Daily orbital operations
  • DOD-backed capstone projects
  • FalconSAT program
Institution context
Graduation rate
88%
Admission rate
14%
Enrollment
4,114

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: usafa.edu.

Rank #3 Score 75.0

United States Air Force Academy

Bachelor’s in Astronautical Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

USAF Academy · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0202

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Program summary

Air Force Academy astronautical engineering cadets design rockets, satellites, and space systems while conducting capstone projects, sponsored research, and satellite operations.

Coursework includes astrodynamics, rocket propulsion, space mission design, and spacecraft engineering, while cadets build flight hardware and operate an Academy ground station.

Senior capstones and independent or sponsored research connect cadets with government and industry partners. The Academy reports cadet-built satellites already operating in Earth orbit and continued Air Force Research Laboratory support for additional spacecraft, while ABET accredits the full astronautical engineering curriculum under the relevant aerospace criteria.

The federal astronautical engineering bachelor’s record contains 49 awards and a 75 score within its single-entry national field-and-level peer group.

Published program details
  • ABET-accredited astronautical program
  • Rocket and satellite design
  • Ground-station operations
  • Sponsored research projects
  • Space mission design
Institution context
Graduation rate
88%
Admission rate
14%
Enrollment
4,114

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: usafa.edu.

Rank #4 Score 72.7

University of Colorado Boulder

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering Sciences

space studies programs in Colorado · Boulder · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Colorado Boulder’s Aerospace Engineering Sciences MS centers experiential study, mission systems, graduate aerospace coursework, and an optional supervised thesis.

The degree requires 30 credits, including 24 at the 5000 level or above and 18 in aerospace courses, with most students finishing in about two years.

The culminating route can be original thesis research, a paired graduate-project sequence, an approved certificate or dual-degree plan, or a course-only option in designated focus areas. This range lets students choose between faculty-supervised research and an experiential, mission-and-systems path built around graduate coursework.

The federal aerospace master’s record reports 137 awards and a 72.7 score, corresponding to position 36 among 69 national peers.

Published program details
  • 30-credit master’s plan
  • 24 advanced graduate credits
  • 18 aerospace course credits
  • Original supervised thesis option
  • Two-year typical completion
Institution context
Tuition
$13,510 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
74%
Admission rate
78%
Enrollment
38,799

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: catalog.colorado.edu.

Rank #5 Score 72.3

University of Colorado Boulder

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Boulder · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Colorado Boulder’s aerospace bachelor’s emphasizes systems integration, aerodynamics, guidance and control, remote sensing, structural design, space instruments, and satellite work.

The 128-credit curriculum includes a combined bachelor’s and master’s option that can be completed in five years with advanced courses and an independent research project.

Students learn to design, test, and operate complex aerospace systems while integrating several technologies from a systems perspective. Faculty and student research includes uncrewed aircraft, remote sensing, space instruments, and satellites, so the published program combines core engineering principles with projects tied to current aeronautics and astronautics work.

Its federal aerospace bachelor’s row contains 206 awards and a 72.3 score, corresponding to position 40 within 73 national field-and-level records.

Published program details
  • 128-credit curriculum
  • Systems engineering perspective
  • Remote sensing and satellites
  • Five-year combined degree
  • Independent research project
Institution context
Tuition
$13,510 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
74%
Admission rate
78%
Enrollment
38,799

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: colorado.edu.

Rank #6 Score 70.2

University of Colorado Boulder

Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering Sciences

Boulder · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

Open the official program page

Program summary

Colorado Boulder’s aerospace doctorate pairs faculty-guided original research with advanced coursework, oral examinations, a doctoral practicum, and dissertation work.

Students typically finish in four to six years while completing 30 advanced course credits, 30 dissertation credits, a preliminary exam, comprehensive review, and service-focused practicum.

A faculty adviser must agree to supervise the student’s research at admission. The preliminary oral examination covers a literature review, research preparation, and approved subject areas, while the comprehensive examination turns to a written proposal and initial findings. This sequence moves the doctorate from preparation into an independently supervised project.

The federal aerospace research-doctorate row reports 39 awards and a 70.2 score, corresponding to position 27 among 46 national peers.

Published program details
  • Faculty-guided original research
  • 30 advanced course credits
  • 30 dissertation credits
  • Doctoral service practicum
  • Preliminary oral examination
Institution context
Tuition
$13,510 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
74%
Admission rate
78%
Enrollment
38,799

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: catalog.colorado.edu.

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Colorado programs with national rankings

Use this list of the best space studies programs in Colorado as your starting point, then move into the same subject, degree level, or career route without restarting your search.

What the federal records show

CO · 6 records connect 2 institutions across 2 cities

This state view contains 6 program records from 2 institutions in 2 cities. Together, those records report 560 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Colorado.

Where the records are

University of Colorado Boulder contributes 3 records and United States Air Force Academy in USAF Academy contributes 3 records.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 5 records and 556 awards. Space operations accounts for 1 record and 4 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 4 records account for 384 awards. At the master’s level, 1 record accounts for 137 awards. At the research doctorate level, 1 record accounts for 39 awards.

Institution and career context

Public institutions contribute 6 records across 2 schools. Tuition, admission, graduation, and enrollment figures on each card describe the whole institution.

For aerospace engineers, the statewide median wage is $156,190 across 4,070 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $101,970 and $210,410.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $98,990 across 660 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $84,150 and $131,670.

These wage figures describe statewide occupations, not earnings for graduates of a particular program.

Read before comparing

How to read Colorado’s program records

01

Program facts

CIP field, degree level, and awards belong to the individual program record.

02

School facts

Tuition, admission rate, graduation rate, and enrollment describe the institution, not one department.

03

Current requirements

Confirm delivery mode, laboratories, admissions, and residency rules on the school’s current program page.

Continue comparing

Compare more best space studies programs by state

These nearby or similarly sized directories use the same CIP boundary, so their record counts are comparable.

NV Nevada 3 records NM New Mexico 2 records TN Tennessee 2 records NH New Hampshire 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Colorado

How many space studies programs in Colorado are ranked here?
This directory lists 6 records. Those records come from 2 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Colorado?
The published scope includes aerospace and astronautical engineering, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, and space systems operations. Broad pilot training and aviation management sit outside this degree-field boundary.
What degree levels are listed for Colorado?
Degree levels are counted separately in the summary above. A bachelor’s and a master’s at the same university appear as two records because they are different credentials.
How are the best space studies programs in Colorado ranked?
Each program receives a national peer score inside its own field and degree level. The state rank orders those scores, so an astrophysics doctorate is not scored directly against an aerospace engineering bachelor’s degree.
What do the tuition and outcome figures describe?
Tuition, admission rate, graduation rate, and enrollment describe the institution. CIP code, field, degree level, and awards belong to the individual program record. Confirm current costs and program requirements with the school before enrolling.

Primary sources

Sources for space studies programs in Colorado