SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Virginia program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Virginia

Compare the best space studies programs in Virginia across 4 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

4program records
3institutions
270awards recorded
3cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Virginia, 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 89.3

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Virginia · Charlottesville · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

UVA’s Aerospace Engineering BS builds across fluid dynamics, structures, propulsion, controls, flight dynamics, and aerospace vehicle design.

The undergraduate curriculum spans fluid dynamics, structures, propulsion, controls, flight dynamics, and design, while faculty laboratories also host mentored undergraduate research.

Mentored undergraduate research is available alongside the required sequence, so laboratory work can extend beyond assigned class exercises. The curriculum joins fluid dynamics, propulsion, structures, controls, and flight dynamics through design, with hypersonics adding a specific high-speed direction for students who want research within Virginia’s broad undergraduate aerospace base.

With 49 recorded bachelor’s awards and an 89.3 score, this path fits students seeking broad systems coursework plus research participation.

Published program details
  • Flight dynamics and controls
  • Propulsion coursework
  • Hypersonics focus
  • Mentored undergraduate research
  • 49 bachelor’s awards
Institution context
Tuition
$19,472 in-state / $57,261 out-of-state
Graduation rate
96%
Admission rate
17%
Enrollment
26,409

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: engineering.virginia.edu.

Rank #2 Score 88.0

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Astronomy-Physics Major (BS)

Charlottesville · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Virginia’s joint Astronomy-Physics BS combines astrophysics, observation, mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, mathematics, Python, advanced electives, and a required senior thesis.

The Astronomy and Physics departments jointly offer the major, preparing students for graduate study in astronomy, physics, computer science, and related fields.

The required senior thesis gives the joint major a clear research endpoint. Before it, students complete observational astronomy, introductory astrophysics, advanced astronomy electives, mechanics, thermal physics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, scientific computing, calculus, and differential equations, creating a strong, technically demanding bridge between the two departments for graduate-level preparation.

Its federal astronomy bachelor’s record contains 18 awards and a score of 88, corresponding to national position 6 across 57 entries.

Published program details
  • Joint astronomy-physics major
  • Required senior thesis
  • Observational astronomy coursework
  • Python for scientists
Institution context
Tuition
$19,472 in-state / $57,261 out-of-state
Graduation rate
96%
Admission rate
17%
Enrollment
26,409

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: astronomy.as.virginia.edu.

Rank #3 Score 82.7

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering

Blacksburg · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Virginia Tech’s aerospace bachelor’s covers aerodynamics, flight controls, propulsion, and structures before a senior design sequence for aircraft and spacecraft.

Virginia Tech’s bachelor’s curriculum covers aerodynamics, flight dynamics and controls, propulsion, and aerospace structures before students enter the senior design sequence.

Aerospace and ocean engineering share a major portion of their coursework, and students can complete a combined double major. The senior design sequence asks teams to analyze and design aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies, turning that shared systems foundation into a final, discipline-specific engineering project.

Federal figures list 202 awards and an 82.7 score for the bachelor’s field, corresponding to position 24 among 73 national records.

Published program details
  • Senior aerospace design sequence
  • Aircraft and spacecraft analysis
  • Flight dynamics and controls
  • Aerospace structures
Institution context
Tuition
$13,152 in-state / $34,362 out-of-state
Graduation rate
86%
Admission rate
55%
Enrollment
38,857

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

Rank #4 Score 63.6

George Mason University

Astronomy, BS

space studies programs in Virginia · Fairfax · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

George Mason’s 120-credit Astronomy BS combines 58 physics and astronomy credits with mathematics, observation, simulation, research, internships, and science communication.

Required courses cover observational astronomy, astrophysics, stars, computer simulation, mechanics, electromagnetism, and calculus, alongside 21 credits selected from specialized science topics.

The elective block can turn the common core toward astrobiology, planetary science, galaxies and cosmology, exoplanets, the interstellar medium, instrumentation, senior research, or an internship. Observational methods also satisfy the university’s writing-intensive requirement, connecting data collection with the communication skills used in scientific research, teaching, industry, education, and graduate study.

The federal astronomy bachelor’s row reports 1 award and a 63.6 score, corresponding to position 43 among 57 national entries.

Published program details
  • 120 total credits
  • Computer simulation in astronomy
  • Observational astronomy methods
  • Research or internship option
Institution context
Tuition
$10,392 in-state / $34,860 out-of-state
Graduation rate
68%
Admission rate
87%
Enrollment
39,766

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Virginia programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

VA · University of Virginia-Main Campus is one of Virginia’s largest program clusters

This state view contains 4 program records from 3 institutions in 3 cities. Together, those records report 270 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Virginia.

Where the records are

University of Virginia-Main Campus in Charlottesville contributes 2 records, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg contributes 1 record, and George Mason University in Fairfax contributes 1 record.

Fields and degree levels

Engineering accounts for 2 records and 251 awards. Space science accounts for 2 records and 19 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 4 records account for 270 awards.

Institution and career context

Public institutions contribute 4 records across 3 schools. Tuition, admission, graduation, and enrollment figures on each card describe the whole institution.

For aerospace engineers, the statewide median wage is $143,210 across 2,540 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $95,420 and $226,950.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $81,040 across 270 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $58,910 and $100,610.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Virginia’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.

TN Tennessee 2 records TX Texas 13 records NJ New Jersey 4 records UT Utah 4 records

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Virginia

How many space studies programs in Virginia are ranked here?
This directory lists 4 records. Those records come from 3 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
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 Virginia 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 Virginia’s degree directory