SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Indiana program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Indiana

Compare the best space studies programs in Indiana across 5 degree records and 3 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

5program records
3institutions
549awards recorded
3cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Indiana, 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 83.4

Purdue University-Main Campus

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

space studies programs in Indiana · West Lafayette · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Purdue's bachelor's curriculum culminates in team-based aerospace design after coursework spanning aerodynamics, propulsion, thermodynamics, and materials and structures.

Purdue's undergraduate sequence moves from thermodynamics and basic structures into aerodynamics, propulsion, dynamics, and controls. Every student then completes a team-based senior design project focused on an aircraft or spacecraft system.

Students begin the major after a common engineering year, then choose aeronautical or astronautical versions of selected junior courses before specializing as seniors. Available directions include aerospace systems design, astrodynamics, autonomy and control, propulsion, structures and materials, and aerodynamics within an ABET-accredited curriculum.

The awards figure supplies the federal contrast: 323 awards place this record at the 99th percentile among bachelor's aerospace peers. Its 83.4 score reaches the 72nd percentile, and in-state tuition is $9,718.

Published program details
  • Thermodynamics and structures
  • Aerodynamics and propulsion
  • Team-based senior design
  • Aircraft or spacecraft project
  • 323 bachelor's awards
Institution context
Tuition
$9,718 in-state / $28,520 out-of-state
Graduation rate
83%
Admission rate
50%
Enrollment
58,658

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: engineering.purdue.edu.

Rank #2 Score 82.7

Purdue University-Main Campus

Master’s in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Gambaro Graduate Program)

West Lafayette · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Purdue offers thesis and non-thesis master's routes across aerodynamics, propulsion, and structures. Federal data records 193 awards and an 82.7 score.

The Gambaro Graduate Program offers thesis, non-thesis, professional, and online master's routes. Its research areas span propulsion, aerodynamics, aerospace systems, astrodynamics, autonomy and control, and structures and materials.

The delivery choices are as varied as the subjects: students can pursue an on-campus or online non-thesis MS, a thesis MS, or a professional MS with engineering leadership. A combined undergraduate and master’s route is also published, and online students can choose from a substantial graduate course catalog.

Federal figures show 193 awards, reaching the 99th percentile among master's aerospace peers. The 82.7 score lands at the 74th percentile, and the record lists $9,718 in-state tuition.

Published program details
  • Thesis and non-thesis routes
  • Professional master's route
  • Online master's option
  • Autonomy and control
  • 193 master's awards
Institution context
Tuition
$9,718 in-state / $28,520 out-of-state
Graduation rate
83%
Admission rate
50%
Enrollment
58,658

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: engineering.purdue.edu.

Rank #3 Score 80.3

Purdue University-Main Campus

Doctorate in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Gambaro Graduate Program)

West Lafayette · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Purdue's doctoral aeronautics program joins aerodynamics, propulsion, and structures with 27 awards, an 80.3 score, and $9,718 in-state tuition.

The Gambaro Graduate Program of Aeronautics and Astronautics identifies aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials and structures for Purdue's doctoral aerospace record.

Doctoral students select among six research areas that combine theoretical, computational, and experimental methods: aerodynamics, aerospace systems, astrodynamics and space applications, autonomy and control, propulsion, and structures and materials. Industry connections and research opportunities support work on human space missions, autonomous aircraft, and propulsion technologies.

Federal data reports 27 awards and an 80.3 score, placing the entry 17 of 46. Both exceed peer medians of 6 and 76.2, while $9,718 in-state tuition is below $12,109.

Published program details
  • Aerodynamics and propulsion
  • Materials and structures
  • 27 doctoral awards
  • 80.3 federal score
  • $9,718 in-state tuition
Institution context
Tuition
$9,718 in-state / $28,520 out-of-state
Graduation rate
83%
Admission rate
50%
Enrollment
58,658

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: engineering.purdue.edu.

Rank #4 Score 62.9

Ball State University

Bachelor’s in Physics and Astronomy

space studies programs in Indiana · Muncie · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Ball State connects physics and astronomy study with faculty research, internships, departmental activities, and access to its campus planetarium.

The department’s published subjects include astronomy, galaxies, and black holes, while students can pursue research and field-related internship experiences in Muncie.

A department colloquium series brings Ball State and visiting faculty into regular discussions of current research. Students can also join the physics student society, take part in projects, and pursue jobs or internships connected to the field, extending astronomy study beyond scheduled classroom work.

Four astronomy bachelor’s awards and a 62.9 score fit students who value departmental participation alongside an Indiana public-university setting and research.

Published program details
  • Faculty astronomy research
  • Student internship opportunities
  • Campus planetarium access
  • Astronomy and galaxies
  • Black holes
Institution context
Tuition
$8,948 in-state / $27,496 out-of-state
Graduation rate
62%
Admission rate
85%
Enrollment
21,089

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

Rank #5 Score 59.8

Valparaiso University

Bachelor’s in Astronomy and Space Science

Valparaiso · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Valparaiso astronomy students operate a campus telescope, access remote observatories, join faculty research, and choose pathways aligned with graduate study or employment.

The bachelor’s program combines astronomy, astrophysics, telescope practice, professional-grade instruments, research facilities, and concentration choices within a personalized undergraduate setting.

Students operate a campus observatory telescope and can remotely use instruments in Arizona, Chile, and the Canary Islands through the SARA Consortium. Faculty access to the Hubble and Gemini telescopes, along with student and faculty research projects, expands the observing environment beyond campus. These resources support student-led observing and faculty projects.

Two recorded awards and a 59.8 score fit students prioritizing direct observing experience and multiple academic routes through space science.

Published program details
  • Campus telescope operation
  • Remote observatory access
  • Faculty research initiatives
  • Astrophysics concentration
  • Three concentration choices
Institution context
Tuition
$46,940
Graduation rate
70%
Admission rate
89%
Enrollment
2,579

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Indiana programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

IN · 5 records connect 3 institutions across 3 cities

This state view contains 5 program records from 3 institutions in 3 cities. Together, those records report 549 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Indiana.

Where the records are

Purdue University-Main Campus in West Lafayette contributes 3 records, Ball State University in Muncie contributes 1 record, and Valparaiso University contributes 1 record.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 3 records and 543 awards. Space science accounts for 2 records and 6 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 3 records account for 329 awards. At the master’s level, 1 record accounts for 193 awards. At the research doctorate level, 1 record accounts for 27 awards.

Institution and career context

Public institutions contribute 4 records across 2 schools. One private nonprofit institution contributes 1 record. Tuition, admission, graduation, and enrollment figures on each card describe the whole institution.

For aerospace engineers, the statewide median wage is $107,400 across 440 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $82,530 and $176,860.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $62,520 across 480 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $48,710 and $77,550.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Indiana’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.

MI Michigan 7 records MN Minnesota 6 records GA Georgia 5 records MD Maryland 5 records

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Indiana

How many space studies programs in Indiana are ranked here?
This directory lists 5 records. Those records come from 3 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Indiana?
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 Indiana?
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 Indiana 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 Indiana