SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Iowa program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Iowa

Compare the best space studies programs in Iowa across 2 degree records and 1 institution. 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

2program records
1institution
10awards recorded
1city

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Iowa, 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 65.7

Iowa State University

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Iowa · Ames · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Iowa State’s aerospace engineering graduate program connects aerodynamics with astrodynamics, controls, complex systems, advanced materials, combustion, and nondestructive evaluation research.

Master’s students enter a department working across computational and experimental aerodynamics, composite structures, aircraft icing, optimization, guidance, and aerospace manufacturing.

The graduate curriculum prepares students for aerospace research, design, development, and manufacturing. Research training includes forming significant questions, selecting appropriate scientific methods, working independently or in teams, interpreting results within the field, and communicating findings through technical writing and oral presentation. The source presents those practices as graduate research outcomes.

Nine master’s awards and a 65.7 score fit engineers seeking research breadth across flight, spacecraft, materials, and systems problems in graduate study.

Published program details
  • Computational aerodynamics
  • Guidance and astrodynamics
  • Composite structures
  • Nondestructive evaluation
  • Complex systems optimization
Institution context
Tuition
$9,252 in-state / $27,346 out-of-state
Graduation rate
75%
Admission rate
89%
Enrollment
30,380

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: grad-college.iastate.edu.

Rank #2 Score 62.1

Iowa State University

Master of Science in Astrophysics

Ames · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Iowa State’s Master of Science in Astrophysics offers thesis and non-thesis routes, each requiring 30 graduate credits and at least 21 credits in physics or astronomy.

Astrophysics master’s candidates complete statistical mechanics or advanced classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum physics, and astrophysical cosmology. The catalog also requires at least two 5800-level astronomy courses for the M.S.

The thesis route can count up to 8 credits of 6990 toward the 30-credit minimum. The non-thesis route instead applies 2 credits of 5990, and the program’s research setting includes departmental groups and Ames Laboratory facilities.

The federal astrophysics master’s entry records 1 award and a 62.1 score, corresponding to position 9 among 10 national peers.

Published program details
  • Thesis and non-thesis routes
  • 30 graduate credits
  • Astrophysical cosmology
  • Advanced astronomy coursework
  • Ames Laboratory research access
Institution context
Tuition
$9,252 in-state / $27,346 out-of-state
Graduation rate
75%
Admission rate
89%
Enrollment
30,380

Official program source reviewed August 30, 2026: catalog.iastate.edu.

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Iowa programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

IA · Iowa State University supplies 2 program records

This state view contains 2 program records from 1 institution in 1 city. Together, those records report 10 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Iowa.

Where the records are

Iowa State University in Ames supplies all 2 records in this state directory.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 1 record and 9 awards. Space science accounts for 1 record and 1 award.

At the master’s level, 2 records account for 10 awards.

Institution and career context

One public institution contributes 2 records. Tuition, admission, graduation, and enrollment figures on each card describe the whole institution.

Read before comparing

How to read Iowa’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.

MN Minnesota 6 records MO Missouri 3 records TN Tennessee 2 records AK Alaska 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Iowa

How many space studies programs in Iowa are ranked here?
This directory lists 2 records. Those records come from 1 institution. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Iowa?
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 Iowa?
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 Iowa 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

Primary sources for Iowa’s degree directory