SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Maryland program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Maryland

Compare the best space studies programs in Maryland 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
289awards recorded
3cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Maryland, 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 91.6

Johns Hopkins University

Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering

space studies programs in Maryland · Baltimore · Private nonprofit · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Johns Hopkins delivers its Space Systems Engineering master’s online, with synchronous and asynchronous classes designed around aerospace, systems engineering, and space technology.

Students can complete the degree within five years and study online through course formats that accommodate working professionals, including both synchronous and asynchronous options.

Coursework first applies formal systems engineering to a complete mission, then moves into flight systems, ground systems, and subsystems. A laboratory experience uses a benchtop spacecraft for integration and testing, including a student-built test plan and data analysis, so online study still includes a concrete systems exercise.

The federal aerospace master’s record includes 129 awards and a 91.6 score, producing national position 3 in a 69-record peer group.

Published program details
  • Online delivery
  • Synchronous and asynchronous courses
  • Completion window within five years
  • Space systems engineering focus
Institution context
Tuition
$64,730
Graduation rate
94%
Admission rate
6%
Enrollment
30,210

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: ep.jhu.edu.

Rank #2 Score 90.0

Johns Hopkins University

Astronomy and Astrophysics, PhD

Baltimore · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0299

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Program summary

Johns Hopkins starts astronomy and astrophysics PhD research in the first semester, with rotating projects across the opening two years.

Students may work with one adviser or rotate among several during two years of research projects, then select a thesis adviser by year three.

Research begins in the opening semester, and the rotation period lets you test several projects or continue with one adviser before settling on the dissertation relationship. The program then expects an original contribution to astronomy, so early exploration feeds into a defined thesis direction rather than remaining a string of short assignments.

Its 90 ranking score and four recorded research doctorates fit candidates who value immediate research experience before committing to a thesis direction.

Published program details
  • First-semester research
  • Two years of project rotations
  • Thesis adviser by year three
  • Original astronomy research
Institution context
Tuition
$64,730
Graduation rate
94%
Admission rate
6%
Enrollment
30,210

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: e-catalogue.jhu.edu.

Rank #3 Score 88.8

University of Maryland-College Park

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

College Park · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Maryland’s Aerospace Engineering BS lets students choose among five subdisciplines and complete a two-term aeronautics or astronautics senior design project.

Students select aerodynamics, flight dynamics and control, propulsion, materials and structures, or systems design, with hypersonic tunnels and neutral-buoyancy laboratory access.

The facilities match the curriculum’s split across aerodynamics, controls, propulsion, structures, and systems design. Hypersonic wind tunnels support high-speed flow work, while the neutral-buoyancy facility supports spacecraft-oriented testing. A two-term senior design sequence then asks students to carry one of those technical directions into an integrated aircraft or spacecraft project.

The 88.8 score and 130 federal awards fit students looking for hands-on aerospace study across both aircraft and spacecraft design.

Published program details
  • Five aerospace subdisciplines
  • Two-term senior design
  • Hypersonic wind tunnels
  • Neutral-buoyancy facility
  • ABET-accredited curriculum
Institution context
Tuition
$10,087 in-state / $39,464 out-of-state
Graduation rate
89%
Admission rate
45%
Enrollment
41,725

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: aero.umd.edu.

Rank #4 Score 85.6

University of Maryland-College Park

Professional Master of Engineering

space studies programs in Maryland · College Park · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Maryland’s Professional Master of Engineering is a practice-oriented, part-time aerospace option designed for working professionals in business, government, and industry.

Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering administers the program for working engineers, emphasizing professional career development and technical expertise used across industrial and public-sector environments.

The same applied graduate office offers both the Professional Master of Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Engineering. Each follows a practice-oriented, part-time format, giving employed engineers a choice between a full graduate degree and a shorter credential within the school’s professional engineering structure. Both are designed specifically for working professionals.

The federal aerospace master’s row contains 25 awards and an 85.6 score, corresponding to position 14 among 69 national field-and-level records.

Published program details
  • Practice-oriented engineering
  • Part-time graduate format
  • Designed for working professionals
  • Maryland Applied Graduate Engineering
Institution context
Tuition
$10,087 in-state / $39,464 out-of-state
Graduation rate
89%
Admission rate
45%
Enrollment
41,725

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: aero.umd.edu.

Rank #5 Score 57.4

Capitol Technology University

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

Laurel · Private nonprofit · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Capitol’s federal aerospace master’s row sits beside an online Master of Research in Astronautical Engineering and a field page spanning aircraft, spacecraft, and mission systems.

Capitol’s published degree list names a Master of Research in Astronautical Engineering, while its delivery section says the university’s master’s and doctoral programs are offered 100% online for working professionals.

The field overview separates aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems from satellites, launch vehicles, and deep-space missions. Its astronautical outline names orbital mechanics, spacecraft design, propulsion, satellite technology, mission planning, and systems engineering as the technical foundation for space exploration and operations.

Capitol’s federal aerospace master’s row reports 1 award and a 57.4 score, corresponding to position 66 in a 69-record national group.

Published program details
  • Orbital mechanics study
  • Spacecraft design and propulsion
  • Mission planning
  • 100% online graduate delivery
Institution context
Tuition
$26,350
Graduation rate
43%
Admission rate
74%
Enrollment
1,065

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Maryland programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

MD · University of Maryland-College Park and Johns Hopkins University are two comparison points

This state view contains 5 program records from 3 institutions in 3 cities. Together, those records report 289 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Maryland.

Where the records are

University of Maryland-College Park contributes 2 records, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore contributes 2 records, and Capitol Technology University in Laurel contributes 1 record.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 4 records and 285 awards. Space science accounts for 1 record and 4 awards.

At the master’s level, 3 records account for 155 awards. At the bachelor’s level, 1 record accounts for 130 awards. At the research doctorate level, 1 record accounts for 4 awards.

Institution and career context

One public institution contributes 2 records. Private nonprofit institutions contribute 3 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 $156,750 across 3,180 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $97,460 and $232,930.

For astronomers, the statewide median wage is $132,620 across 980 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $83,200 and $214,450.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $91,820 across 200 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $62,200 and $124,430.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Maryland’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.

FL Florida 15 records GA Georgia 5 records WI Wisconsin 1 record WY Wyoming 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Maryland

How many space studies programs in Maryland 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 Maryland?
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 Maryland?
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 Maryland 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 Maryland