10 Affordable Bachelor’s Degrees in Astrophysics, Aerospace and Astronomy

Texas A&M University-College Station (TAMU) is a public research university established in 1871 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. TAMU is the flagship of the Texas A&M University System and its main campus is in College Station, Texas, about 95 miles northwest of Houston, TX.

TAMU offers one main Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related Bachelor’s program and two minors. The main program is its ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aerospace Engineering (AE), which prepares students for a number of different engineering and engineering-related careers. This includes not only AE work for aerospace companies, but engineering, engineering management, and management positions with computer hardware, computer software, electronics, or energy companies, or with government research laboratories. The BS requires 128 credit-hours (approx. 43 courses), with about 68 for Aerospace courses and electives (incl. such options as Airfoil and Wing Design; Electromagnetic Sensing for Space-Borne Imaging; Flight Test Engineering; Orbital Mechanics; Space System Design; Theoretical Aerodynamics; and a two-course, capstone-like Aerospace Vehicle Design lab). Finally, TAMU also has two other undergraduate options: an 18-hour Minor in Aerospace Engineering and a 15-hour Minor in Astrophysics

• In-state tuition: $9,685.
• Out-of-state tuition: $26,583

2. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public research university established in 1895 as Arlington College. UTA is part of the University of Texas System and is located in Arlington, Texas, about 20 miles west of Dallas, TX.

UTA offers seven Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related undergraduate options (four Bachelor’s, three minors). UTA’s has four ABET-accredited Aerospace Engineering programs.  The two strictly undergraduate versions are its Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE) and its Double Major in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (the latter provides for broader career opportunities). The BSAE requires at least 130 hours (approx. 43 courses), with 37 for upper-level Aerospace courses (incl. Compressible Flow; Flight Performance and Stability; Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Materials; and a two-course Aerospace Vehicle Design capstone).The Master’s version allows students to take up to 9 hours of graduate courses during their senior year. The PhD version allows students to bypass a Master’s degree and proceed directly to PhD dissertation research. Finally, UTA also has three relevant 18-hour minors: Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy, and Astrophysics.

• In-state tuition: $8,878.
• Out-of-state tuition: $18,102.

3. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON -SEATLE CAMPUS

 

The University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UW) is a public, flagship research university and the largest and primary of the University of Washington’s three campuses. UW was established in 1861 as the Territorial University of Washington and is located in Seattle, Washington.

UW offers two main Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related Bachelor’s programs. The ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (BSSAE) prepares students for both traditional and non-traditional careers. That means designing, developing, and testing such aerospace vehicles as aircraft, missiles, satellites, or spacecraft. It can also mean applying the knowledge gained from the BSAAE toward improving the aerodynamics and performance of such a diverse array of products as golf balls, race cars, or wind turbines. The BSAAE requires 180 credit hours (approx. 48 courses), with 13 for Aeronautics and Astronautics (A&A) technical electives and 58 for upper-level A&A specified courses. (Students must also complete a Senior Capstone Design Project.) Meanwhile, UW’s BS in Astronomy prepares students for scientific and/ or technical support positions in astronomical facilities or for graduate studies. The BS requires 180 hours, with 44 for Physics courses, 21 for Math, and 20 for Astronomy (incl. a recommended two-course capstone sequence).

• In-state tuition: $12,394.
• Out-of-state tuition: $33,513.

4.NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a public research university established in 1888 as Las Cruces College. Its main campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, about 230 miles south and slightly west of Albuquerque, NM, and some 45 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas.

NMSU has seven Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related undergraduate options (two Bachelor’s, five minors). Its ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science ( BS) in Astronomy prepares students to analyze, construct, and design aircraft; automobiles; high-speed rail systems; manned and unmanned aerial vehicles; marine vessels; satellites; or submarines. The BSAE requires 132 credits (approx. 43 courses), with 31 for ME (Mechanical Engineering) courses and 30 for AE courses.The BSEP’s additional science focus means students often start at a higher level career-wise. The degree requires about 132 credits, with 25 for Physics courses and 47 for Engineering courses. Finally, NMSU has five other undergraduate options: a 41-credit Minor in Aerospace Engineering; an 18-20 credit Minor in Astronomy — with two optional Emphases, in Education and Engineering; and a minimum 22-credit Minor in Aerospace Studies (which is suited to Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps [AFROTC] students).

• In-state tuition: $5,950.
• Out-of-state tuition: $19,112.

5.UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO

University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public university established in 1941 as Hawai’i Vocational School. UH Hilo is part of the University of Hawai’i system and its main campus is located in Hilo, Hawaii, on the Big Island of Hawaii. UH Hilo offers one main Astronomy-related Bachelor’s program and one minor. The main program is its Bachelor of Science ( BS) in Astronomy which prepares students for careers in Astronomy as observatory technical staff members or professional research astronomers; for work in related fields, such as planetary geosciences; or for educational opportunities, such as outreach efforts and teaching. The BS requires a minimum of 120 credits (approx. 40 courses), with 24 for courses in related fields (incl. Calculus; General Chemistry; Intro To Computer Science; and Ordinary Differential Equations). The major requires 47 credits of Astronomy and Physics courses (incl. Computational Physics and Astronomy; Galactic and Extragalactic Astrophysics; Observational Astronomy; Optics; Stellar Astrophysics; Thermodynamics; and a two-course, senior-year Seminar). Astronomy majors can also use electives for a Senior Lab/ Thesis Project and an Observatory Internship cooperative experience. Finally, students in other majors can study Astronomy via UH Hilo’s 15-credit minor.

• In-state tuition: $7,036.
• Out-of-state tuition: $19,036.

6:YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY

Youngstown State University (YSU) is a public research university established in 1908. It is located in Youngstown, Ohio, about 75 miles southeast of Cleveland, OH, and about 70 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

YSU offers one main Astronomy-related Bachelor’s program and one minor. The main program is its Bachelor of Science ( BS) in Physics and Astronomy.This combined major prepares students for graduate studies in astronomy or space science. That in turn can lead to career opportunities with colleges/ universities, government labs, national observatories, planetariums, or private companies — studying interstellar material, the space environment, or star systems (sometimes in order to develop, enhance, or maintain satellite systems or prepare for/ improve aspects of space exploration). The BS requires 124 credit-hours (approx. 37 courses), with 18 for a required Minor in Mathematics (incl. courses in Calculus and Differential Equations). The major requires 53 hours: 32 for Physics courses (incl. Classical Mechanics and Dynamics; Electromagnetic Field Theory; and Modern Physics); and 21 for Astronomy courses (incl. Astrophysics; Observational Astronomy; and an Undergraduate Astronomy Research capstone). Finally, students in other majors can study Astronomy via YSU’s 18-hour minor.

• In-state tuition: $8,317.
• Out-of-state tuition: $8,557.

7. WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY

Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university established in 1895 as Fairmount College. Its main campus and building complexes are located in Wichita, Kansas, about 160 miles north of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. WSU offers one main Aerospace-related Bachelor’s program — the ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE). This degree prepares student for traditional opportunities as an aerospace engineer: analyzing, designing, researching, simulating, and testing aircraft, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft, including prototypes. However, because they gain an extensive knowledge of aerodynamics, performance, propulsion, stability and control, and structures, students can also utilize the BSAE to pursue careers in non-aerospace industries, such as automotive, energy (especially wind), medical, and racing. The BSAE requires at least 135 credit-hours (approx. 42 courses), with 9 for technical electives (incl. Co-op Education opportunities) and 13 for the engineering core. Another 52 hours goes toward the major (incl. such courses as Aerodynamic Theory; Aerospace Propulsion; Flight Dynamics and Control; Flight Structures; Fundamentals of Atmospheric Flight; Materials Engineering; and two senior-year, capstone-like Aerospace Design courses).

• In-state tuition: $7,265.
• Out-of-state tuition: $15,299.

8.CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY- POMONA

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) is a public polytechnic university established in 1938 as the Voorhis Unit of California State Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly Pomona is part of the California State University System and is located in Pomona, California, about 25 miles east of Los Angeles, CA.

Cal Poly Pomona offers one main Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related Bachelor’s program, one secondary option, and one minor. The ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE)prepares students for careers in academics, aeronautics, commercial aerospace, national defense, or space exploration (some opportunities may require advanced study). These careers traditionally involve the design and development of aircraft, missiles, or spacecraft, but now also include land and marine vehicles, such as high-speed rail systems and hydrofoil ships. The BSAE requires 194 units (approx. 60 courses), with 62 for the major (incl. Aircraft Stability and Control; Orbital Mechanics; and a three-course, capstone-like Design Laboratory). Meanwhile, Cal Poly Pomona’s BS in Physics allows students to use electives to create an Emphasis in Astrophysics. This BS requires 180 units, with up to 20 for the emphasis (incl. the option of an Internship and a Senior Project). Finally, for students in other majors who want to study Astronomy, Cal Poly Pomona offers a 30-unit minor.

• In-state tuition: $6,904.
• Out-of-state tuition: $18,064.

9.WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

West Virginia University (WVU) is public research university established in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia. The three sub-campuses that make up WVU’s main campus are all located in Morgantown, West Virginia, about 75 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. WVU offers four Aerospace-/ Astronomy-/ Astrophysics-related undergraduate programs (three Bachelor’s, one minor).. The BSAE requires 125 credit-hours (approx. 42 courses), with 98 for core requirements (incl. a Flight Vehicle Design capstone course). For students seeking a broader scope of career opportunities, WVU offers the duual BSAE/ BSME (BS in Mechanical Engineering). It requires 155 hours, with 120 for combined core requirements (incl. the capstone-like Principles of Engineering Design). Meanwhile, WVU’s BS in Physics allows students to obtain an Area of Emphasis ( AOE) in Astro/ Space Physics.  This BS allows students to pursue advanced studies/ careers in a number of fields, including astrophysics/ astronomy, business, journalism, law, medicine, or teaching. It requires 120 hours, with 26 for the AOE (incl. a Senior Thesis capstone). Finally, WVU also offers a 21-hour Minor in Astronomy.

• In-state tuition: $6,960.
• Out-of-state tuition: $20,242.

10. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY – LONG BEACH

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a public university established in 1949 as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. It is now part of the California State University system and is located in Long Beach, California, about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles, CA.

CSULB offers one main Aerospace-related Bachelor’s program — its ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science( BS) in Aerospace Engineering. This BS prepares students for careers as aerospace engineers, which involves the design and development of vehicles and systems that travel in or above Earth’s atmosphere (incl. airplanes, helicopters, launch vehicles, missiles, planetary rovers, rockets, satellites, spacecraft, or space stations). And, this often means specializing in aerodynamic fluid flow; guidance, navigation, and control; propulsion and combustion; robotics; or structural design. The BS requires 120 units (approx. 43 courses), with 47 for upper-division Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering courses and electives (incl. an Aerodynamics Laboratory; Aerospace Structures; Flight Mechanics; Fundamentals of Space Dynamics; Propulsion; and a two-course Aerospace Systems Design capstone). BS students also get to choose a 12-unit Emphasis in either Aeronautics or Astronautics. Aeronautics provides a focus on atmospheric flight, while Astronautics concentrates on space flight.

• In-state tuition: $6,452.
• Out-of-state tuition: $17,612