SPACE STUDIESPROGRAMS

Washington program rankings

Best Space Studies Programs in Washington

Compare the best space studies programs in Washington across 7 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

7program records
2institutions
168awards recorded
2cities

State program ranking

Best Space Studies Programs in Washington, 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 84.5

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Master of Aerospace Engineering

space studies programs in Washington · Seattle · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Washington’s 45-credit MAE is a part-time professional degree with evening courses, applied industry skills, concentration study, technical breadth, and quarterly colloquia.

Students take one technical and one professional-development course per quarter, declare a concentration, and can finish through continuous enrollment in three years.

The MAE is a part-time, coursework-only professional degree, distinct from the research-oriented MS and not designed as a route into a doctorate. Its curriculum combines analytical methods, five concentration courses, breadth electives outside that concentration, and a recurring professional colloquium with industry speakers during every quarter of enrollment.

The federal aerospace master’s record reports 44 awards and an 84.5 score, corresponding to position 16 among 69 national entries.

Published program details
  • 45 graduate credits
  • Part-time evening courses
  • Three-year completion schedule
  • Quarterly professional colloquium
Institution context
Tuition
$11,869 in-state / $42,105 out-of-state
Graduation rate
85%
Admission rate
39%
Enrollment
56,997

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: aa.washington.edu.

Rank #2 Score 84.3

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering

Seattle · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Washington’s 180-credit BSAE combines aerodynamics, orbital and atmospheric flight mechanics, structures, controls, propulsion, laboratories, and aircraft or spacecraft capstone design.

The 180-credit degree includes 50 credits of aeronautics and astronautics core work, 8 capstone-design credits, and 15 technical-elective credits altogether.

Required study covers scientific computing, compressible and incompressible aerodynamics, orbital and atmospheric flight mechanics, structural vibrations, instrumentation, two aerospace laboratories, structures, controls, and propulsion. Seniors choose a two-course aircraft-design sequence or a spacecraft-and-space-systems sequence, while electives can include undergraduate research or an engineering internship.

Federal data report 64 awards and an 84.3 score for this aerospace bachelor’s field, corresponding to position 18 among 73 national records.

Published program details
  • 180-credit curriculum
  • 50-credit A&A core
  • Aircraft or spacecraft capstone
  • Two aerospace laboratories
Institution context
Tuition
$11,869 in-state / $42,105 out-of-state
Graduation rate
85%
Admission rate
39%
Enrollment
56,997

Official program source reviewed August 30, 2026: aa.washington.edu.

Rank #3 Score 82.6

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Seattle · Public · Engineering · CIP 14.0201

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Program summary

Washington’s aeronautics and astronautics PhD requires 90 graduate credits, independent research, a dissertation, and qualifying, general, and final examinations.

Students enter through an MSAA en route, direct-to-PhD, or post-master’s path. The department maps a typical five- to six-year progression from graduate fundamentals and the qualifying exam through doctoral coursework, the general exam, dissertation research, and the final defense.

After the qualifying exam, students establish a supervisory committee and complete at least 9 doctoral-coursework credits before the general exam. Candidacy leads to at least 27 dissertation credits and a final examination, within a 90-credit doctorate built around original independent research.

The federal aerospace doctorate row records 9 awards and an 82.6 score, corresponding to national position 13 among 46 entries.

Published program details
  • Three doctoral entry paths
  • 90 graduate credits
  • Qualifying, general, and final exams
  • 27 dissertation credits
Institution context
Tuition
$11,869 in-state / $42,105 out-of-state
Graduation rate
85%
Admission rate
39%
Enrollment
56,997

Official program source reviewed August 30, 2026: aa.washington.edu.

Rank #4 Score 82.0

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Bachelor’s in Astronomy

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Washington · Seattle · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Washington's bachelor's astronomy source combines cosmology, galaxies, and telescope work with 41 awards and an 82 federal score.

The official undergraduate astronomy source at the University of Washington connects astronomy with cosmology and galaxies, then identifies telescope-based work.

The curriculum builds from physics and mathematics into planetary astronomy, stellar evolution, interstellar matter, Milky Way structure, galaxies, and cosmology. Students also practice data science, writing, public speaking, outreach, and observations through a department telescope, then tailor upper-level courses and research to academic or industry goals.

The federal entry reports 41 awards and ranks 17 of 57 at 82. Both exceed peer medians of 6 and 76.5, while $11,869 in-state tuition is below $19,472.

Published program details
  • Cosmology and galaxies
  • Telescope-based work
  • 41 astronomy awards
  • 82 federal score
Institution context
Tuition
$11,869 in-state / $42,105 out-of-state
Graduation rate
85%
Admission rate
39%
Enrollment
56,997

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: admit.washington.edu.

Rank #5 Score 74.8

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Doctorate in Astronomy

Program field from IPEDS

Seattle · Public · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Washington's astronomy doctorate links astrophysics and galaxies with telescope-based work, while both its 3 awards and 74.8 score sit near peer medians.

The University of Washington's doctoral astronomy source names astronomy, astrophysics, and galaxies, and it identifies telescope-based work within the program.

The department describes graduate students as active researchers and places faculty in leadership roles on major telescope projects. That environment connects doctoral work with galaxy formation, planetary-system evolution, and the origins of the universe, while also preparing researchers for leadership roles in universities, government, and aerospace.

Federal data records 3 awards, matching the peer median, and a 74.8 score that places the entry 15 of 28. The score sits near 75.3, while in-state tuition is $11,869.

Published program details
  • Astronomy and astrophysics
  • Galaxies focus
  • Telescope-based work
  • 3 doctoral awards
  • Rank 15 of 28
Institution context
Tuition
$11,869 in-state / $42,105 out-of-state
Graduation rate
85%
Admission rate
39%
Enrollment
56,997

Official program source reviewed August 28, 2026: artsci.washington.edu.

Rank #6 Score 71.1

Whitman College

Bachelor’s in Physics-Astronomy

Walla Walla · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0202

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Program summary

Whitman’s Physics-Astronomy major requires 22 astronomy, 24 physics, and 13 mathematics credits before written and oral senior examinations.

The joint major builds one bachelor’s program across astronomy, physics, and mathematics rather than treating astronomy as a small addition to a physics degree.

Astronomy requirements include three introductory courses, two choices among Astronomy 310, 320, and 330, and additional advanced work. Physics contributes 24 credits, mathematics contributes 13, and the senior assessment combines a two-part written comprehensive examination with a one-hour joint oral examination.

Whitman calls the degree Physics-Astronomy, while IPEDS places this bachelor’s record in Astrophysics. The federal row reports 6 awards and a 71.1 score, corresponding to position 23 among 37 national peers.

Published program details
  • 22 astronomy credits
  • 24 physics credits
  • 13 mathematics credits
  • Written and oral senior exams
  • 6 astrophysics awards
Institution context
Tuition
$63,510
Graduation rate
81%
Admission rate
38%
Enrollment
1,561

Official program source reviewed August 30, 2026: catalog.whitman.edu.

Rank #7 Score 69.9

Whitman College

Bachelor’s in Astronomy

Program field from IPEDS

space studies programs in Washington · Walla Walla · Private nonprofit · Space science · CIP 40.0201

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Program summary

Whitman's astronomy source combines gravitational waves and exoplanets with internships, thesis work, observatory work, and telescope-based study.

Whitman College's astronomy material spans astrophysics, cosmology, galaxies, exoplanets, observational astronomy, and gravitational waves in its published academic focus for undergraduate study.

The practical toolkit includes astronomical computing in Linux, document preparation, and programming, plus work with specialized software, a planetarium, an observatory, and rooftop telescopes. Students can carry summer research or a thesis through to a conference presentation or professional publication, making communication part of the research arc.

The source adds internships, a thesis, observatory work, and telescope-based work. Federal data reports 1 award and a 69.9 score, placing the entry 36 of 57 against a 76.5 peer median.

Published program details
  • Gravitational waves
  • Exoplanets and galaxies
  • Internships and thesis
  • Observatory and telescope work
Institution context
Tuition
$63,510
Graduation rate
81%
Admission rate
38%
Enrollment
1,561

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

Continue beyond the state list

Compare Washington programs with national rankings

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

What the federal records show

WA · Seattle contributes 5 records

This state view contains 7 program records from 2 institutions in 2 cities. Together, those records report 168 recent awards in this ranking of the best space studies programs in Washington.

Where the records are

University of Washington-Seattle Campus contributes 5 records and Whitman College in Walla Walla contributes 2 records.

Fields and degree levels

Space science accounts for 4 records and 51 awards. Engineering accounts for 3 records and 117 awards.

At the bachelor’s level, 4 records account for 112 awards. At the research doctorate level, 2 records account for 12 awards. At the master’s level, 1 record accounts for 44 awards.

Institution and career context

One public institution contributes 5 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 $158,370 across 5,760 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $112,580 and $207,710.

For aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians, the statewide median wage is $125,160 across 1,590 jobs. BLS places the 10th-to-90th-percentile range between $108,200 and $125,160.

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

Read before comparing

How to read Washington’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.

NM New Mexico 2 records UT Utah 4 records RI Rhode Island 1 record SC South Carolina 1 record

Questions students ask

Questions about the best space studies programs in Washington

How many space studies programs in Washington are ranked here?
This directory lists 7 records. Those records come from 2 institutions. Each field-and-level combination counts separately.
Which fields count as space studies in Washington?
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 Washington?
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 Washington 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 Washington