SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Texas program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Texas

Compare the best space studies programs in Texas 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
397awards recorded
7cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Texas, 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 80.7

Texas A&M University-College Station

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Texas · College Station · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Texas A&M’s aerospace bachelor’s blends theory and engineering tools with team design projects involving aircraft, rotorcraft, spacecraft, habitats, simulators, or Mars missions.

Coursework covers aerodynamics, materials and structures, propulsion, plus aircraft and spacecraft dynamics and control before a two-semester senior design sequence.

Senior design turns the theory into a bounded team assignment with defined goals, constraints, analysis, and modern computational tools. Depending on the elective, a team may design, build, test, or deploy an aircraft, rotorcraft, flight simulator, adaptive structure, space suit, habitat, or space mission, then test that integrated system against the project’s goals and constraints.

Its federal bachelor’s field records 207 awards and an 80.7 score, corresponding to national position 27 across 73 aerospace entries.

Published program details
  • Two-semester senior design
  • Aircraft and spacecraft controls
  • Modern computational tools
  • Team aerospace system projects
Institution context
Tuition
$9,092 in-state / $36,169 out-of-state
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
57%
Enrollment
78,321

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

Rank #2 Score 80.3

Texas A&M University-College Station

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering

College Station · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Texas A&M’s aerospace MS uses a thesis curriculum and supervised research across aerodynamics, controls, materials, hypersonics, sensing, propulsion, and space operations.

The research degree develops new understanding through a thesis, advisory committee, proposal, and final examination, with specialization spanning four broad aerospace areas.

This is specifically a thesis MS, with no non-thesis option. Students develop a proposal and research plan with an advisory committee, then demonstrate critical thinking and clear technical communication through supervised investigation in dynamics and control, autonomous systems, reacting flows, sensing, space operations, or extreme-environment materials.

Federal figures show 58 awards and an 80.3 score for the master’s field, which corresponds to position 27 among 69 national records.

Published program details
  • Thesis research curriculum
  • Autonomous intelligent systems
  • Extreme-environment materials
  • Human and robotic spaceflight
Institution context
Tuition
$9,092 in-state / $36,169 out-of-state
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
57%
Enrollment
78,321

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

Rank #3 Score 78.9

Texas Christian University

Bachelor’s in Astronomy & Physics

Fort Worth · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0299

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Program summary

TCU’s Astronomy and Physics bachelor’s combines science foundations with stellar astrophysics, galaxy evolution, infrared and radio astronomy, computation, and observatory experience.

Students study physics, mathematics, geology, and chemistry before courses such as Cosmic Origins, Observational Astronomy, Thermal Physics, and computer science for scientists.

Observational and computational work gives the broad science foundation a clear astronomy outlet. Faculty investigate star and gas behavior in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, participate in a major sky-survey collaboration, and use local and remote observatories for telescope work in infrared and radio astronomy, opening those projects to undergraduate participation.

The federal other-astronomy bachelor’s record contains 4 awards and a 78.9 score, corresponding to position 3 among 8 national entries.

Published program details
  • Stellar astrophysics
  • Infrared and radio astronomy
  • McDonald Observatory experience
  • Computational physics study
Institution context
Tuition
$61,650
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
44%
Enrollment
12,938

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

Rank #4 Score 77.7

Texas A&M University-College Station

Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Texas · College Station · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Texas A&M’s aerospace PhD develops independent research across propulsion, controls, materials, hypersonics, sensing, space-domain awareness, and human or robotic spaceflight.

Doctoral candidates complete supervised research, an advisory-committee program, examinations, a proposal, and a dissertation while building clear oral and written technical communication.

The research menu is broader than the general milestones suggest: autonomous and intelligent systems, hypersonics, extreme-environment materials, sensing, reacting flows, space-domain awareness, and human or robotic space operations are all named areas. Doctoral work is judged on independent research ability and command of a broad professional field, not coursework alone.

The federal aerospace research-doctorate row reports 22 awards and a 77.7 score, corresponding to position 21 among 46 national entries.

Published program details
  • Supervised independent research
  • Hypersonics and propulsion
  • Space domain awareness
  • Doctoral dissertation
Institution context
Tuition
$9,092 in-state / $36,169 out-of-state
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
57%
Enrollment
78,321

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

Rank #5 Score 72.2

Texas A&M University-College Station

Master of Science in Astronomy

College Station · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Texas A&M’s astronomy MS provides thesis and non-thesis routes with Astrophysics or Astrostatistics tracks and substantial research experience.

The curriculum includes six core astronomy courses and expertise in observational cosmology, galaxy evolution, supermassive black holes, stellar populations, instrumentation, and distance measurement.

Students can choose thesis or non-thesis study and specialize in either astrophysics or astrostatistics. The shared core leads into substantial research experience at the Mitchell Institute, where observational and theoretical cosmology, galaxy evolution, black-hole research, stellar populations, instrumentation, and statistical methods support different career directions after graduation.

For the federal master’s astronomy field, 3 awards and a 72.2 score correspond to national position 17 among 27 records.

Published program details
  • Thesis and non-thesis routes
  • Astrophysics or Astrostatistics
  • Six-course astronomy core
  • Significant research experience
Institution context
Tuition
$9,092 in-state / $36,169 out-of-state
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
57%
Enrollment
78,321

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

Rank #6 Score 72.0

Baylor University

Astronomy, B.S.

Waco · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Baylor’s Astronomy BS combines physics, astronomy, mathematics, research, observation, stellar structure, and cosmology in a course-heavy science plan.

Students take research introductions, astronomy laboratory work, mathematical and computational physics, observational astronomy, instructional observing, and dissemination of research results.

The major’s broader science base adds chemistry, programming, calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations to the astronomy sequence. Stellar structure, cosmology, classical mechanics, and upper-level physics electives follow, while additional electromagnetism and quantum mechanics courses are recommended for students preparing for graduate astronomy and more advanced physics coursework and research.

Baylor’s federal astrophysics bachelor’s row records 8 awards and a 72 score, which corresponds to position 21 among 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • Physics and astronomy coursework
  • Mathematical and computational physics
  • Observational astronomy
  • Stellar structure and cosmology
  • Research results dissemination
Institution context
Tuition
$58,100
Graduation rate
80%
Admission rate
51%
Enrollment
20,626

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

Rank #7 Score 71.6

Texas A&M University-College Station

Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy

space studies programs in Texas · College Station · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Texas A&M’s astronomy PhD starts graduate research early and offers Astrophysics or Astrostatistics tracks grounded in cosmology, galaxies, black holes, and instrumentation.

Students take six core astronomy courses and pursue research in areas such as galaxy evolution, resolved stellar populations, the extragalactic distance scale, and astronomical instrumentation.

Two formal specializations shape that breadth. The astrophysics track adds advanced physics, and the astrostatistics track adds statistics. Both lead into supervised research at the Mitchell Institute. The program is designed to start research early and culminates in an original dissertation directed through an advisory committee.

The astronomy research-doctorate record contains 5 awards and a 71.6 score, mapping to position 18 within 28 national field-and-level entries.

Published program details
  • Astrophysics specialization track
  • Astrostatistics specialization track
  • Six core astronomy courses
  • Astronomical instrumentation research
Institution context
Tuition
$9,092 in-state / $36,169 out-of-state
Graduation rate
84%
Admission rate
57%
Enrollment
78,321

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

Rank #8 Score 67.4

University of Houston

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

Houston · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Houston’s interdisciplinary aerospace MS spans aerodynamics, heat transfer, structural mechanics, controls, automation, systems engineering, and thesis research.

Graduate coursework and research can address structural dynamics, vibration isolation, health monitoring, space automation, thermo-fluid systems, and aerospace modeling and simulation.

Students may choose thesis or non-thesis study and can broaden the core concentrations through electives in mathematics, space physics, computing, telecommunications, human factors, or systems engineering. The interdisciplinary faculty structure draws principally from mechanical and aerospace engineering, while electrical and industrial engineering participation broadens the course plan beyond a single department.

The federal aerospace master’s record reports 4 awards and a 67.4 score, corresponding to position 49 among 69 national peers.

Published program details
  • Interdisciplinary aerospace MS
  • Aerodynamics and heat transfer
  • Controls and automation
  • Thesis pathway
Institution context
Tuition
$8,685 in-state / $21,515 out-of-state
Graduation rate
65%
Admission rate
74%
Enrollment
47,980

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: aerospace.egr.uh.edu.

Rank #9 Score 63.0

The University of Texas at Arlington

Aerospace Engineering M.Eng. & M.S.

Arlington · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UTA publishes a coursework-only aerospace MEng for professional practice and a thesis MS for research or doctoral preparation.

Graduate study at UTA develops mathematical, experimental, and numerical problem-solving across fluid dynamics, propulsion, structures, flight mechanics, controls, and vehicle design.

UTA separates its graduate options by purpose. The coursework-only MEng is built for industry professionals seeking practical advanced skills, while the thesis MS is the research route for students considering development work or doctoral study. Both use physical modeling and theoretical, numerical, or experimental analysis to evaluate engineering results.

The federal field-and-level record covers UTA’s aerospace master’s awards without assigning them to either published route. It reports 21 awards and a 63 score, corresponding to position 57 among 69 national entries.

Published program details
  • 30-credit master’s study
  • Professional engineering route
  • Research thesis route
  • Vehicle design methods
Institution context
Tuition
$9,206 in-state / $26,838 out-of-state
Graduation rate
54%
Admission rate
80%
Enrollment
44,956

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

Rank #10 Score 62.1

The University of Texas at Arlington

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Texas · Arlington · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UTA’s 130-credit aerospace BS combines laboratory work across flight, fluids, propulsion, structures, and optimization with a culminating vehicle design project.

The curriculum covers aerodynamics, combustion, flight mechanics and controls, material behavior, structural dynamics, and system design, supplemented by relevant laboratory experiences.

The program is an on-campus, ABET-accredited engineering degree whose curriculum ends with a vehicle design project. Across the sequence, students connect propulsion and combustion, structural mechanics, material behavior, and optimization, so the laboratory component feeds into the final task of integrating an aerospace vehicle under realistic engineering constraints.

Its federal bachelor’s row contains 50 awards and a 62.1 score, corresponding to national position 62 within a 73-entry field group.

Published program details
  • 130 credit hours
  • Vehicle design project
  • Structural dynamics
  • Laboratory aerospace experiences
Institution context
Tuition
$9,206 in-state / $26,838 out-of-state
Graduation rate
54%
Admission rate
80%
Enrollment
44,956

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

Rank #11 Score 61.8

The University of Texas at Arlington

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Arlington · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UTA’s aerospace PhD studies fluids, propulsion, structures, flight controls, and vehicle design through experimental, numerical, and theoretical problem solving.

Students may enter after a master’s degree through the 36-credit route or use the bachelor’s-entry pathway that proceeds directly toward dissertation research.

The program’s stated research method is itself a useful summary: define a technical problem, construct a mathematical or experimental model from its physics, analyze it through theoretical, numerical, or experimental techniques, and evaluate the result. Local industry proximity also supports internship, research, and employment connections beyond campus.

The federal doctorate field reports 9 awards and a 61.8 score, which corresponds to position 40 among 46 national aerospace records.

Published program details
  • 36-credit MS entry
  • Accelerated PhD program
  • Experimental and numerical methods
  • Dissertation research
Institution context
Tuition
$9,206 in-state / $26,838 out-of-state
Graduation rate
54%
Admission rate
80%
Enrollment
44,956

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

Rank #12 Score 58.9

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering

San Antonio · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UT San Antonio’s aerospace MS builds fundamental engineering knowledge for degree holders in mechanical engineering or another related field.

The published master’s route centers essential aerospace coursework, including aerodynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and hypersonics, for preparation toward industry careers.

The degree is intended for students with mechanical engineering or a related background who want deeper aerospace preparation. The published focus stays on foundational engineering rather than a narrow vehicle track, linking thermal and fluid behavior to aerodynamics and hypersonic flow for advanced technical roles in the aerospace industry.

The associated federal field records 1 award and a 58.9 score, corresponding to position 63 across 69 national aerospace master’s entries.

Published program details
  • Aerodynamics and thermodynamics
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Hypersonics study
  • Related engineering backgrounds
Institution context
Tuition
$6,266 in-state / $19,189 out-of-state
Graduation rate
53%
Admission rate
87%
Enrollment
35,770

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: future.utsa.edu.

Rank #13 Score 55.2

The University of Texas at El Paso

Bachelor’s in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering

space studies programs in Texas · El Paso · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UTEP aerospace students can research satellites, lunar exploration, robotics, guidance, microgravity manufacturing, rocket propulsion, and Martian soil across five county facilities.

The bachelor’s program pairs industry partnerships and hands-on technical work with UTEP Aerospace Center research, including rocket design and satellite technology.

Students can pursue research in satellite technology, lunar exploration, robotics, guidance systems, microgravity manufacturing, propulsion, and simulated Martian soil. The Aerospace Center and its local facilities create the research setting, while nearby spaceflight activity and formal industry relationships reinforce the program’s applied, region-specific identity for undergraduate research on campus.

Its federal aerospace bachelor’s field reports 5 awards and a 55.2 score, corresponding to national position 72 among 73 records.

Published program details
  • Five county research facilities
  • Microgravity manufacturing
  • Lunar exploration research
  • Rocket propulsion systems
Institution context
Tuition
$7,704 in-state / $23,462 out-of-state
Graduation rate
50%
Admission rate
100%
Enrollment
25,039

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Texas programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

TX · Engineering spans 9 records

This state view contains 13 program records from 7 institutions in 7 cities. Together, those records report 397 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Texas.

Where the records are

Texas A&M University-College Station contributes 5 records, The University of Texas at Arlington contributes 3 records, and Baylor University in Waco contributes 1 record. The other 4 institutions account for 4 records.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 9 records and 377 awards. Space science accounts for 4 records and 20 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 5 records account for 274 awards. At the master’s level, 5 records account for 87 awards. At the research doctorate level, 3 records account for 36 awards.

Institution and career context

Public institutions contribute 11 records across 5 schools. Private nonprofit institutions contribute 2 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 $130,270 across 6,750 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $82,990 and $195,190.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $78,350 across 950 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $56,000 and $119,840.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Texas’ 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.

OK Oklahoma 1 record SC South Carolina 1 record MT Montana 1 record NH New Hampshire 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Texas

How many space studies programs in Texas 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 Texas?
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 Texas?
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 Texas 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 Texas