SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Utah program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Utah

Compare the best space studies programs in Utah across 4 degree records and 2 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

4program records
2institutions
39awards recorded
2cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Utah, 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 74.6

Brigham Young University

Bachelor’s in Astronomy

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Utah · Provo · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

BYU’s Physics and Astronomy BS combines a 68-credit minimum with physical theory, observation, computation, data analysis, faculty research, and a senior thesis.

Required study includes observational astronomy, stars and galaxies, computational physics, stellar astrophysics, cosmology, mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and professional scientific communication.

The learning outcomes connect the required sequence to practice: students write scientific programs, simulate physical systems, analyze astrophysical data, and locate and observe celestial objects. Faculty-mentored research then asks them to contribute new knowledge while communicating to technical audiences in both speech and writing professionally and following scientific ethics.

Its federal astronomy bachelor’s record carries 17 awards and a 74.6 score, mapping to position 32 among 57 national entries.

Published program details
  • 68-credit minimum
  • Senior research thesis
  • Astrophysical data analysis
  • Faculty-mentored astronomy research
Institution context
Tuition
$6,688
Graduation rate
81%
Admission rate
68%
Enrollment
35,873

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

Rank #2 Score 64.7

Brigham Young University

Doctorate in Astronomy

Program field from IPEDS

Provo · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

BYU’s Physics and Astronomy PhD develops observational, computational, and theoretical research through courses, colloquia, publications, presentations, and a defended dissertation.

Doctoral students choose an astronomy project, master its literature, work with an adviser, communicate findings professionally, and participate in research-group and society meetings.

Research may be observational, numerical, or theoretical, but every student is expected to publish, present, and defend the work. Weekly colloquium and astronomy-group participation build breadth, while the candidacy exam, literature mastery, committee reviews, peer-reviewed publication, and dissertation defense provide recurring checks on scientific independence and communication.

The federal astronomy research-doctorate field reports 1 award and a 64.7 score, corresponding to national position 22 within 28 records.

Published program details
  • Observational astronomy research
  • Numerical computation
  • Weekly astronomy colloquium
  • Defended dissertation
Institution context
Tuition
$6,688
Graduation rate
81%
Admission rate
68%
Enrollment
35,873

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: learningoutcomes.byu.edu.

Rank #3 Score 60.6

Utah State University

Master’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

Logan · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Utah State’s aerospace MS joins faculty research with study of aerodynamics, propulsion, controls, navigation, optimization, structures, aircraft, satellites, and rockets.

Graduate preparation spans mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, composite materials, and space systems, with student involvement aimed at practice, research, and education.

The technical focus reaches vehicle dynamics, controls, guidance and navigation, optimization, structures, aerodynamics, and propulsion. Rather than separating coursework from inquiry, the graduate program emphasizes sustained involvement in faculty research, using that participation to prepare students for advanced engineering practice, further research, or teaching within aerospace settings after graduation.

The federal master’s field reports 20 awards and a 60.6 score, corresponding to national position 60 within 69 aerospace records.

Published program details
  • Aerodynamics and propulsion
  • Vehicle dynamics and controls
  • Guidance and navigation
  • Faculty research involvement
Institution context
Tuition
$7,627 in-state / $24,060 out-of-state
Graduation rate
59%
Admission rate
92%
Enrollment
28,904

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

Rank #4 Score 56.7

Utah State University

Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Utah · Logan · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Utah State’s aerospace PhD emphasizes faculty research across aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, controls, propulsion, navigation, optimization, structures, and space systems engineering.

The doctorate prepares researchers for engineering practice, research, and education involving aircraft, satellites, rockets, space vehicles, composite materials, and astronautics technologies.

Doctoral coursework and research focus more specifically on vehicle dynamics, guidance and navigation, optimization, controls, and structures, alongside aerodynamics and propulsion. The graduate model emphasizes high student involvement in faculty research, giving the broader aircraft, satellite, rocket, and space-vehicle brief a concrete investigative core for doctoral preparation.

Federal data attach 1 award and a 56.7 score to the aerospace research-doctorate field, corresponding to position 44 among 46 national records.

Published program details
  • Faculty-involved graduate research
  • Guidance and navigation
  • Composite materials and structures
  • Space systems engineering
Institution context
Tuition
$7,627 in-state / $24,060 out-of-state
Graduation rate
59%
Admission rate
92%
Enrollment
28,904

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Utah programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

UT · 4 records connect 2 institutions across 2 cities

This state view contains 4 program records from 2 institutions in 2 cities. Together, those records report 39 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Utah.

Where the records are

Utah State University in Logan contributes 2 records and Brigham Young University in Provo contributes 2 records.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 2 records and 21 awards. Space science accounts for 2 records and 18 awards.

At the research doctorate level, 2 records account for 2 awards. At the bachelor’s level, 1 record accounts for 17 awards. At the master’s level, 1 record accounts for 20 awards.

Institution and career context

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

For aerospace engineers, the statewide median wage is $135,840 across 1,010 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $85,230 and $183,810.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $76,680 across 400 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $64,170 and $112,740.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Utah’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.

MT Montana 1 record NV Nevada 3 records NH New Hampshire 1 record NC North Carolina 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Utah

How many space studies programs in Utah are ranked here?
This directory lists 4 records. Those records come from 2 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Utah?
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 Utah?
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 Utah 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 Utah’s degree directory