SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Pennsylvania program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Pennsylvania

Compare the best space studies programs in Pennsylvania across 13 degree records and 7 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

13program records
7institutions
268awards recorded
7cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Pennsylvania, 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 81.6

Swarthmore College

Bachelor’s in Astrophysics

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Pennsylvania · Swarthmore · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Swarthmore’s Physics and Astronomy department combines advanced seminars, original faculty research, interdisciplinary study, and access to a research observatory.

Astrophysics and astronomy students can join faculty research, use the Peter van de Kamp Observatory’s telescope and instruments, and pursue advanced seminar work.

The department pairs its advanced seminars with frequent original research alongside faculty. At the Peter van de Kamp Observatory, students can use an imaging, photometric, and spectroscopic instrument suite for research, teaching, and outreach, while the broader liberal-arts setting also includes interdisciplinary science courses for science majors.

The federal astrophysics bachelor’s record lists 2 awards and an 81.6 score, corresponding to position 12 across 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • Original faculty research
  • Advanced physics and astronomy seminars
  • 24-inch observatory telescope
  • Imaging and spectroscopy instruments
Institution context
Tuition
$65,058
Graduation rate
92%
Admission rate
7%
Enrollment
1,623

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

Rank #2 Score 81.3

Villanova University

BS in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Villanova · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Villanova’s BS in Astronomy and Astrophysics joins rigorous science coursework with original research commonly presented at national astronomy conferences.

The major centers astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science while pairing academic preparation with research and a liberal arts and sciences foundation.

Research is intended to culminate in original results rather than stop at course exposure, and the program notes that students commonly present that work at national astronomy conferences. That research component sits within a balanced liberal arts and sciences education suited to graduate study and technically oriented careers.

Villanova’s federal astronomy bachelor’s entry reports 8 awards and an 81.3 score, which corresponds to position 20 among 57 national peers.

Published program details
  • Original undergraduate research
  • National conference presentations
  • Planetary science
  • Liberal arts and sciences foundation
Institution context
Tuition
$66,838
Graduation rate
92%
Admission rate
27%
Enrollment
10,041

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

Rank #3 Score 80.4

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Aerospace Engineering, B.S.

University Park · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Aerospace Engineering BS covers aircraft and spacecraft analysis, propulsion, vehicle control, structures, software, and team-based systems design.

Students study aeronautics and astronautics across aerodynamics, materials, rocket propulsion, autonomous systems, and aircraft or spacecraft design within an ABET-accredited curriculum.

The program organizes aircraft and spacecraft work around the same systems foundation: vehicle dynamics and control, software, propulsion, structures, and fluid dynamics. Teamwork and communication are treated as part of engineering problem-solving, and the official program material also identifies cooperative education as a route for applying that foundation.

Its federal aerospace bachelor’s row reports 150 awards and an 80.4 score, placing the record at position 28 among 73 national peers.

Published program details
  • ABET-accredited curriculum
  • Aircraft and spacecraft design
  • Rocket propulsion systems
  • Autonomous systems
  • Co-op experience
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #4 Score 79.5

Haverford College

Bachelor’s in Astronomy and Astrophysics

space studies programs in Pennsylvania · Haverford · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Haverford’s Astronomy and Astrophysics curriculum grounds the astronomy major in physics, mathematics, modern observational techniques, computational work, and student research.

Astronomy students begin with physics, mathematics, and ASTR 204, then can pursue faculty research using telescopes and computational facilities at the Strawbridge Observatory.

Upper-level study asks students to build physical models, solve the resulting mathematical problems, and test predictions against observations. Research may stay on campus at Strawbridge or move into summer opportunities elsewhere, while programming and observational techniques support work on planets, stars, galaxies, large-scale structure, and modern cosmology.

Its federal astronomy bachelor’s entry reports 1 award and a 79.5 score, corresponding to position 23 across 57 national records.

Published program details
  • ASTR 204 astrophysics survey
  • Strawbridge Observatory research
  • Modern observational techniques
  • Physics and mathematics foundation
Institution context
Tuition
$69,884
Graduation rate
90%
Admission rate
12%
Enrollment
1,431

Official program source reviewed August 29, 2026: haverford.edu.

Rank #5 Score 79.0

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

University Park · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Aerospace Engineering graduate program offers MS and MEng routes across fluid dynamics, structures, controls, propulsion, rotorcraft, and computing.

Master’s students can study low-speed aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, space vehicle dynamics, structural dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics, while the MS route includes thesis work.

Graduate students choose between a thesis-based MS and a professional MEng route. The professional option combines field theory in fluids, solids, and dynamics and control with applied mathematics and a supervised capstone, while the MS provides the research-oriented path already reflected in the program’s thesis requirement.

The federal aerospace master’s entry carries 32 awards and a 79 score, corresponding to position 28 within 69 national field-and-level records.

Published program details
  • Graduate aerospace coursework
  • Low-speed aerodynamics
  • Space vehicle dynamics
  • MS thesis pathway
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #6 Score 77.0

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Astronomy and Astrophysics, B.S.

University Park · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Astronomy and Astrophysics BS combines mathematics, physical science, computation, telescope observations, and research across planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe.

The 125-credit curriculum includes observational astronomy laboratory work, astronomical methods, calculus, physics, and technical writing, with research opportunities beyond formal coursework.

Students learn how ground- and space-based telescopes produce observations and how mathematics, physics, computation, image processing, and software turn those observations into interpretations. The major’s science reaches from planets and stellar element formation to quasars and gamma-ray bursts, providing multiple directions for student research, technical electives, and internships.

Its federal astronomy bachelor’s entry records 33 awards and a 77 score, corresponding to position 28 across 57 national field-and-level peers.

Published program details
  • 125-credit bachelor’s curriculum
  • Observational astronomy laboratory
  • Mathematics and computation foundation
  • Ground and space telescopes
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #7 Score 76.7

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Pennsylvania · University Park · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Aerospace Engineering doctorate spans aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, vehicle dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and dissertation research.

Doctoral study can cover turbulence, astrodynamics, rotorcraft, aeroelasticity, space propulsion, and high-performance computing, with formal candidacy following the qualifying and comprehensive exams.

The doctoral milestones are sequential: students may reach the qualifying exam after completing graduate coursework, but candidacy follows the comprehensive exam, and the degree culminates in a dissertation. That structure supports inquiry across experimental and computational fluid dynamics, space vehicle dynamics, rotorcraft, gas dynamics, controls, and aeroacoustics research.

The federal aerospace research-doctorate record contains 8 awards and a 76.7 score, corresponding to position 23 among 46 national peers.

Published program details
  • Aerospace dissertation research
  • Computational fluid dynamics
  • Space propulsion
  • Rotorcraft and aeroelasticity
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #8 Score 76.5

Haverford College

Bachelor’s in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Haverford · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Haverford’s astrophysics major connects upper-level astronomy, cosmology, physical modeling, computer programming, and observing skills with thesis work and faculty research.

The curriculum starts with physics, mathematics, and a modern astrophysics survey, then adds focused courses and telescope-based research on campus or through summer programs.

The shared curriculum treats student research as central rather than supplemental. Faculty interests shape focused upper-level offerings, and majors can work with telescopes and computational facilities at Strawbridge, seek off-campus summer research, and develop a senior project that integrates physical intuition, modeling, programming, and observation.

The federal astrophysics bachelor’s record shows 5 awards and a 76.5 score, placing it at position 18 among 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • Physics-based astrophysics curriculum
  • Computer programming skills
  • Telescope-based faculty research
  • Thesis work
Institution context
Tuition
$69,884
Graduation rate
90%
Admission rate
12%
Enrollment
1,431

Official program source reviewed August 29, 2026: haverford.edu.

Rank #9 Score 75.3

Lehigh University

Bachelor’s in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Bethlehem · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Lehigh’s Astronomy and Astrophysics program offers a science bachelor’s built for graduate preparation through physics, mathematics, laboratory work, and theoretical astrophysics.

The BS curriculum covers planetary astronomy, stellar astrophysics, galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, and advanced physics, with research opportunities supplementing classroom instruction.

The degree sits beside a broader astronomy BA, but the astrophysics BS is specifically designed for students considering graduate study and professional astronomy. Laboratory and theoretical astrophysics anchor the preparation, while electives can reach high-energy astrophysics, relativity, thermal physics, quantum mechanics, and nuclear or particle physics for varied technical careers.

Lehigh’s federal astrophysics bachelor’s row records 3 awards and a 75.3 score, corresponding to position 19 among 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • Bachelor of Science astrophysics
  • Laboratory and theoretical astrophysics
  • Stellar and galactic coursework
  • Undergraduate research opportunities
Institution context
Tuition
$63,930
Graduation rate
88%
Admission rate
26%
Enrollment
7,692

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

Rank #10 Score 72.7

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Master’s in Astronomy and Astrophysics

space studies programs in Pennsylvania · University Park · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Astronomy and Astrophysics graduate program supports master’s work in theory, observation, instrumentation, astrostatistics, exoplanets, high-energy astrophysics, and cosmology.

Graduate research uses space-based observatories, ground telescopes, spectrographs, and computing resources to study galaxies, stellar systems, planetary formation, and gravitational waves.

The same research environment spans theoretical, observational, and instrument-focused work. Active directions include high-energy astrophysics, relativity, cosmology, stellar dynamics, X-ray detector development, and visible or infrared spectrographs. Graduate students may also gain experience in undergraduate teaching and public outreach alongside their research within the wider astronomy and astrophysics community.

The federal astronomy master’s row reports 7 awards and a 72.7 score, mapping to position 16 among 27 national records.

Published program details
  • Theoretical and observational astronomy
  • Space and ground observatories
  • Astrostatistics research
  • Exoplanets and cosmology
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #11 Score 71.6

Franklin and Marshall College

Bachelor’s in Astrophysics

Program field from IPEDS

Lancaster · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Franklin and Marshall’s astrophysics major combines satellite data, ground-based observations, astronomy coursework, and professor-guided independent or collaborative research.

Students study galaxies, planets, stars, black holes, and asteroids while using laboratory and computing equipment to analyze observations and present research findings.

Program outcomes make the research expectations concrete: students compare published sources with measured results, build mathematical models for collected data, and explain conclusions through integrated text, data, analysis, and graphics. They also practice planning multistep investigations and presenting research in both oral and written formats for technical audiences.

The federal astrophysics bachelor’s row lists 7 awards and a 71.6 score, corresponding to position 22 among 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • Satellite and ground-based observations
  • Independent and collaborative research
  • Professor-guided research
  • Galaxies through black holes
Institution context
Tuition
$70,566
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
28%
Enrollment
1,808

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

Rank #12 Score 70.1

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Doctorate in Astronomy and Astrophysics

University Park · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Penn State’s Astronomy and Astrophysics doctorate integrates theoretical, observational, instrumental, and computational research across black holes, exoplanets, cosmology, and galaxies.

Doctoral researchers can work with X-ray instruments, visible and infrared spectrographs, space observatories, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, gravitational-wave collaborations, and supercomputing resources.

Research can be theoretical, observational, or instrument-focused. Published activity includes neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts, relativity, cosmology, planet formation, astrostatistics, X-ray detector development, and visible or infrared spectrographs, giving dissertation students several ways to connect physical questions with instruments, computation, and large collaborations through the final dissertation and its defense.

The federal astronomy research-doctorate row lists 8 awards and a 70.1 score, corresponding to position 19 among 28 national peers.

Published program details
  • Theoretical and observational research
  • X-ray instrument development
  • Gravitational-wave observations
  • Hobby-Eberly Telescope
  • Doctoral dissertation
Institution context
Tuition
$20,066 in-state / $41,212 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
61%
Enrollment
50,737

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: bulletins.psu.edu.

Rank #13 Score 58.2

Lycoming College

B.S. in Astrophysics

space studies programs in Pennsylvania · Williamsport · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Lycoming’s astrophysics bachelor’s requires 16 courses, four semesters of colloquium participation, and a capstone that can incorporate approved research experience.

Coursework spans astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics, observational methods, data analysis, and stellar topics, culminating in ASTR 448 or an approved project alternative.

The department distinguishes a twelve-course astronomy BA from a sixteen-course astrophysics BS, with mathematics required before the major and four semesters of noncredit colloquium. Students may replace the culminating research course with approved independent, honors, or qualifying summer research plus an additional advanced course before completing the major.

The federal astrophysics bachelor’s entry reports 4 awards and a 58.2 score, with position 36 across 37 national field-and-level records.

Published program details
  • 16-course astrophysics major
  • Four non-credit colloquium semesters
  • ASTR 448 capstone
  • Approved research alternative
Institution context
Tuition
$49,024
Graduation rate
60%
Admission rate
74%
Enrollment
1,012

Official program source reviewed August 30, 2026: lycoming.edu.

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Pennsylvania programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

PA · Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is one of Pennsylvania’s largest program clusters

This state view contains 13 program records from 7 institutions in 7 cities. Together, those records report 268 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Pennsylvania.

Where the records are

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus in University Park contributes 6 records, Haverford College contributes 2 records, and Villanova University contributes 1 record. The other 4 institutions account for 4 records.

Fields and degree levels

Space science accounts for 10 records and 78 awards. Engineering accounts for 3 records and 190 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 9 records account for 213 awards. At the master’s level, 2 records account for 39 awards. At the research doctorate level, 2 records account for 16 awards.

Institution and career context

One public institution contributes 6 records. Private nonprofit institutions contribute 7 records across 6 schools. Tuition, admission, graduation, and enrollment figures on each card describe the whole institution.

For aerospace engineers, the statewide median wage is $133,940 across 990 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $89,230 and $179,820.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $60,770 across 80 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $54,380 and $91,620.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Pennsylvania’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.

CT Connecticut 5 records MA Massachusetts 18 records MS Mississippi 2 records NM New Mexico 2 records

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Pennsylvania

How many space studies programs in Pennsylvania are ranked here?
This directory lists 13 records. Those records come from 7 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania