SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Kansas program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Kansas

Compare the best space studies programs in Kansas across 6 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

6program records
3institutions
146awards recorded
3cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Kansas, 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 63.9

University of Kansas

Bachelor of Science in Astronomy

space studies programs in Kansas · Lawrence · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Kansas’s astronomy BS emphasizes physics and astronomy, laboratory and research experiences, analytical skills, and preparation for professional or graduate work.

The curriculum surveys modern astronomy while adding substantial physics, mathematics, astrophysics, cosmology, galaxies, plasma physics, and a culminating undergraduate project.

Laboratory and research experiences build analytical problem solving around questions ranging from solar-cell materials to the nature of mass, space, and the universe’s evolution. The department uses that work to prepare students for graduate study or professional paths in astronomy, astrophysics, and related physical sciences. Undergraduate projects add a culminating research experience.

Seven bachelor’s awards with a 63.9 score fit students seeking a specialized science route grounded in physical-universe study and research.

Published program details
  • Substantial physics emphasis
  • Astronomy research experience
  • Cosmology and galaxies
  • Plasma physics
  • Culminating project
Institution context
Tuition
$10,968 in-state / $29,298 out-of-state
Graduation rate
69%
Admission rate
93%
Enrollment
29,792

Official program source reviewed August 29, 2026: catalog.ku.edu.

Rank #2 Score 63.6

University of Kansas

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

Lawrence · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Kansas advances aerospace students from science and mathematics foundations into aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, flight dynamics, instrumentation, spacecraft systems, and vehicle design.

The four-year curriculum applies engineering science to aircraft and spacecraft, then brings specialized subdomains together through final-year aerospace vehicle design.

The sequence begins with basic science, mathematics, and communication before moving into aerodynamics, flight dynamics and control, propulsion, structures, manufacturing, instrumentation, and spacecraft systems. Students therefore reach the culminating vehicle-design work after studying both the main aerospace subdomains and the tools used to build and test systems.

Sixty-nine bachelor’s awards and a 63.6 score fit students seeking an integrated sequence across major aerospace engineering disciplines and design.

Published program details
  • Aerospace vehicle design
  • Flight dynamics control
  • Propulsion and structures
  • Spacecraft systems
  • Senior design work
Institution context
Tuition
$10,968 in-state / $29,298 out-of-state
Graduation rate
69%
Admission rate
93%
Enrollment
29,792

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

Rank #3 Score 57.4

Benedictine College

Bachelor’s in Astronomy

Atchison · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Benedictine’s astronomy degree combines observational and theoretical astronomy, astrophysics, data collection, analysis, and hands-on work at Daglen Observatory.

Students study planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe while building scientific-method, analytical, technical, observing, and laboratory skills at Benedictine College.

Hands-on work at Daglen Observatory covers astronomical observation, data collection, and analysis. The program’s published outcomes connect those skills to graduate study and to immediate roles in planetariums, museums, scientific data analysis, industry, and laboratory settings, while retaining a foundation in theoretical astrophysics. Observational and theoretical training support both directions.

One bachelor’s award and a 57.4 score fit undergraduates who value direct observatory experience within a liberal arts curriculum and science study.

Published program details
  • Daglen Observatory experience
  • Astronomical data collection
  • Observational astronomy
  • Theoretical astrophysics
  • Scientific method practice
Institution context
Tuition
$35,350
Graduation rate
62%
Admission rate
98%
Enrollment
2,535

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

Rank #4 Score 57.2

Wichita State University

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Kansas · Wichita · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Wichita State’s aerospace bachelor’s spans aircraft and spacecraft, with 129 credits, five wind tunnels, design coursework, laboratories, and optional cooperative education.

The curriculum develops aerodynamics, propulsion, stability and control, structures, digital computation, communication, and senior aerospace design through laboratory-supported coursework and student projects.

Facilities include wind and water tunnels, structural testing, flight simulation, controls, propulsion, astronautics, and prototyping laboratories. Students can also choose cooperative education that alternates formal coursework with relevant off-campus employment at aerospace companies, federal aviation organizations, and NASA centers. The published program also carries ABET accreditation and a defined credit sequence.

Its federal bachelor’s entry reports 58 awards and a 57.2 score, corresponding to position 71 among 73 national field-and-level records.

Published program details
  • 129 semester credit hours
  • Five campus wind tunnels
  • Aircraft and spacecraft study
  • Voluntary cooperative education
Institution context
Tuition
$7,529 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state
Graduation rate
51%
Admission rate
94%
Enrollment
16,689

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

Rank #5 Score 56.0

Wichita State University

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

Wichita · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Wichita State’s graduate aerospace route offers specializations in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, structures, flight dynamics and control, and multidisciplinary design optimization.

The department organizes MS study around aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, structures and solid mechanics, flight dynamics and control, plus multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimization.

Qualified graduate students can pursue teaching or research assistantships. Faculty members with grants or contracts select research assistants for their projects, and continued support depends on satisfactory academic standing and research progress as assessed by the adviser. The department links both forms of support to qualified graduate study.

For the federal aerospace master’s record, 9 awards and a score of 56 correspond to national position 68 within a 69-entry group.

Published program details
  • Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
  • Structures and solid mechanics
  • Flight dynamics and control
  • Multidisciplinary design optimization
Institution context
Tuition
$7,529 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state
Graduation rate
51%
Admission rate
94%
Enrollment
16,689

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

Rank #6 Score 54.5

Wichita State University

Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

Wichita · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Wichita State’s aerospace engineering doctorate requires a faculty-approved study plan, advanced coursework, qualifying review, research, and a dissertation.

The 72-credit framework covers aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures, solid mechanics, flight dynamics, control, and multidisciplinary analysis and design at Wichita.

An advisory committee is formed early in the coursework and includes faculty from the major department plus an outside member. The student and dissertation adviser then develop a plan of study, designate major and minor fields, and propose a tentative dissertation topic for committee and graduate-school approval. The committee continues through dissertation supervision.

Two research doctorates and a 54.5 score fit candidates prepared for committee-guided investigation and substantial dissertation work in aerospace engineering.

Published program details
  • 72-credit doctoral framework
  • Dissertation research
  • Flight dynamics control
  • Qualifying examination
  • Multidisciplinary analysis design
Institution context
Tuition
$7,529 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state
Graduation rate
51%
Admission rate
94%
Enrollment
16,689

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Kansas programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

KS · Wichita contributes 3 records

This state view contains 6 program records from 3 institutions in 3 cities. Together, those records report 146 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Kansas.

Where the records are

Wichita State University contributes 3 records, University of Kansas in Lawrence contributes 2 records, and Benedictine College in Atchison contributes 1 record.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 4 records and 138 awards. Space science accounts for 2 records and 8 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 4 records account for 135 awards. At the master’s level, 1 record accounts for 9 awards. At the research doctorate level, 1 record accounts for 2 awards.

Institution and career context

Public institutions contribute 5 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 $130,330 across 1,730 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $80,860 and $167,400.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $78,350 across 580 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $51,200 and $100,170.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Kansas’ 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.

MO Missouri 3 records OH Ohio 20 records VA Virginia 4 records HI Hawaii 3 records

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Kansas

How many space studies programs in Kansas are ranked here?
This directory lists 6 records. Those records come from 3 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Kansas?
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 Kansas?
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 Kansas 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 Kansas