3 Best Online Physics and Astronomy Bachelor’s Degree Colleges

Having a constant interest in the study of the universe will lead you to an opportunity to study Physics. You will be able to focus on realizing how nature and the properties of matter and energy work together.

Astronomy is usually incorporated with Physics. So, if you are passionate about one or the other, you can study an online Astronomy degree or a degree majoring in Astronomy and Physics. 

These two ultimate topics are experimental natural sciences, so as a learner in these fields, you will need to utilize scientific methods and approaches to formulate and come up with hypotheses based on actual facts. You will need to study the natural world to come up with results in your thesis and research.

This degree usually covers core elements of traditional physics, combined with studies about the universe like cosmology, planetary science, and astrobiology. It usually lasts three years but will be flexible since it’s a distance learning program.

Read along to learn more about this field of study and find out which colleges offer an online bachelor’s degree in Physics or Astronomy.

For a summary of this article, listen here:

What Does an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Astronomy Cover?

Generally, astronomy degrees usually involve a combination of theoretical and observational study approaches. Some courses will relatively focus more on one method than the other.

The observational approach will be geared towards taking opportunities to travel to different locations while utilizing professional equipment at major observatories. It will depend primarily on the kind of online curriculum and university offers, though. 

On the other hand, most of your time spent while enrolled in a B.S. program in astronomy will require you to spend a lot of screen time since computer-based analysis is a primary component of modern astronomy. Although there are no special qualifications for prospective astronomy students, you should demonstrate a strong interest in the subject.

Entry requirements are quite flexible, and you can anticipate having various courses related to mathematics, physics, geology, statistics, chemistry, and biology. Check out the programs provided by your schools and learn more about them. 

What is an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Physics?

If you want to have a firm understanding of the natural laws and principles governing our universe’s activities and motion, then taking an online B.S. in Physics can be ideal for you.

It’s a four-year natural science degree program, and you will get admitted readily by submitting similar requirements to those of classroom-style learning.

The core disciplines of this program are math and physics. Other courses include classical mechanics, thermal physics, differential equations, calculus, and mathematical physics. These are all necessary for you to build your foundation based on physics laws.

Even enrolled in an online B.S. program, you should expect to complete lab classes since this will illustrate physics’ theoretical findings and properties. You will also be exposed to diverse elective courses so you can explore more aspects of physics, like nanotechnology, cosmology, or lasers.

After you graduate from this program, you will be able to take upon many job opportunities in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) industries. 

Can I earn an astronomy and physics degree in the same bachelor’s program?

Yes, some universities offer joint degrees in astronomy and physics. You may also find programs with a physics major and an astronomy minor… or vice versa. Depending on the school, you may be able to complete both majors in the same program, or you may need to complete additional courses in order to fulfill the requirements for both degrees.

What are the career pathways for a Bachelor’s in Physics or Astronomy Degree?

It’s completely natural to want to foresee your future career before you even enroll in an astronomy or physics degree. You would like to make sure to acquire a sustainable profession without proceeding to graduate school.

However, you don’t need to worry about that since, in often cases, your Bachelor’s degree will be sufficient enough to find a reliable job in different industries.

Finishing a bachelor’s degree in this field of expertise will prepare you for a career focused on the scientific world, and you will have diverse job options. Your tasks will cover investigating earthquakes to inventing new spacecraft and vehicles.

Here is a list of prospective job roles you can partake in after finishing a major in either Physics or Astronomy. Some professions may integrate both Physics and Astronomy degrees than others.

How much can you earn as a Bachelor’s in Physics and Astronomy Graduate?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that physicists and astronomers earn an average salary of $147,450 annually. On the other hand, Salary.com shows that astronomers in the U.S. have a median salary of $120,817 as of May 2023. But their salary range typically falls between $117,149 to $156,336, respectively.

Many variables will influence your paycheck, and these will include your education, superior skills, and tenure in your profession. When it comes to physicists, PayScale shows a report that their average salary is around $101,085. Their total pay ranges from $59,000 to $145,000 and this data has been updated since February 2022. 

Moreover, here are the top industries in which physicists earned the highest salaries according to data in 2022:

• $170,740 – local, state, and private hospitals
• $192,550 – healthcare services
• $131,200 – the federal government
• $157,210 – scientific research and development projects
• $102,070 – local, state, and private colleges and universities

The demand for astronomers and physicists is relatively predicted to grow by 14% by 2032, and this is significantly higher growth than other professions. You can expect to have higher demands for healthcare and social assistance, educational services, and scientific research and development.

Here is our consolidated list of 3 best colleges that offer an online bachelor’s degree in Astronomy or Physics, but these do not come in any order:

Methodology

Is it possible to obtain an Online Bachelor’s in Physics and Astronomy program online? The three colleges on our list provide either or both degree program options in online or hybrid formats to offer undergraduate students a truly convenient way of pursuing their passion.

On our list are three BA or BS in Physics and/or Astronomy degrees offered by top-tier colleges in the United States that take pride in their superb online programs. To help shape future professionals in the field, the degree programs all share the salient features of excellent education and training.

They also excel in the affordability and graduate outcome departments, which is why they are superior educational investments!

Please visit our Methodology page for more information.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Physics and Astronomy Degree Programs

Arizona State University

Arizona State University offers an online B.S. program in astronomical and planetary sciences which offers intensive broad training in space exploration and creates opportunities for research advancement.

You will be able to work in industries where you can apply your scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills. You can also use modern statistical data analysis techniques in real-life projects. 

Expect to gain more knowledge and a solid understanding of astronomy and planetary science. You may use it as your foundation so you can proceed to a graduate study in law or other graduate programs related to your skill set.

Location:

• Tempe, Arizona

Accreditation:

• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Program Features:

• 36 total classes
• 120 credit units required 

Course Options:

• Brief Calculus
• General Physics
• Physics of Astrophysics
• Engineering Systems and Experimental Problem Solving

Admissions:

• Top 25% in high school graduating class
• 3.00 GPA in courses with competency
• 22 ACT score for Arizona residents and 24 for non-residents or 1120 SAT score for Arizona residents and 1180 for non-residents

Tuition:

• $641 / credit hour (In-State and Out-of-State)

Financial Aid:

• Federal Pell Grants 
• Scholarships

What’s Unique About the Program:

• If you’re not qualified to enroll due to lacking admission requirements, they can offer Earned Admission. 

Liberty University

Being enrolled in an online B.S. program in Physics will train you to analyze situations, figure out how machines work and experiment with new ideas. This 100% online learning style will allow you to meet your professional goals. Since Physics is a versatile form of science, your logical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills will be improved thoroughly.

Although your skills will be broadened through and through, their online program will hone you to meet working requirements in careers like mechanical engineer, particle accelerator operator, data analyst, and physicist.

Be ready to contribute to the community’s scientific activities once you partner with Liberty University and finally start a career in physics. You will achieve your professional goals soon.

Location:

• Lynchburg, Virginia

Accreditation:

• SACSCOC, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Program Features:

• 8-week courses
• Transfer in up to 75% of the degree in total
• 100% online

Course Options:

• Multivariable Calculus
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• Quantum Physics

Admissions:

• High School GPA should be 3.15-3.83
• SAT score 1020-1220
• ACT score 20-27
• GPA from high school or college
• GED scores
• Essay

Tuition:

• $390 / credit hour (In-State and Out-of-State)

Financial Aid:

• Grants
• Loans
• Scholarships

What’s Unique About the Program:

• The Bachelor of Physics can be completed in just 3.5 years.

Michigan Technological University

If you enroll at Michigan Technological University, you will have many opportunities to collaborate with faculty on many research projects.

With two semesters of research, you will be paired with a faculty member. You can even take advantage of these opportunities for continued research if you want. The university takes pride in its hands-on approach to education. 

Aside from the faculty-student mentoring approach, they also boast an environment where you can practice peer-to-peer support. They have about 25 students per class, so you can become involved in your department actively and like a family.

You can anticipate being exposed to many Physics disciplines, which you can apply when working in the industry. 

Location:

• Houghton, Michigan

Accreditation:

• The Higher Learning Commission

Program Features:

Course Options:

• Classical Mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Optics
• Thermal Physics

Admissions:

• High school GPA of 4.0
• average ACT score of 26.7
• average SAT Total score of 1260
• first-year students must rank in the top 20 percent of their class

Tuition:

• $17,296 / academic year for Michigan Residents
• $39,256 / academic year for non-Michigan Residents

Financial Aid:

• Scholarships
• Student Employment

What’s Unique About the Program:

• Students can customize their degrees. It means they can choose from either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Physics. BA majors explore the degree with a liberal arts foundation and pursue their other interests. It is essential to consider all this information when choosing an online school, college, or university!