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Astronomy and Astrophysics at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
26
Optimistic
25
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,373/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (52% exposed)
Job Market Medium (12,600 openings/yr)
ROI 6.6x earnings multiple (2.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 6 Astronomy and Astrophysics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $415K $424K $418K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.5x 6.6x 6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.4x 2.4x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 25 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (2.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,373 place Michigan State University below the $40,590 national median for Astronomy and Astrophysics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Astronomy and Astrophysics's typical career paths, with 52% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 6 schools offering Astronomy and Astrophysics in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Astronomers $132,170/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 6 schools offering Astronomy and Astrophysics →

Astronomy and Astrophysics at Other Schools

University of California-Berkeley ($54,746) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($45,783) University of Colorado Boulder ($45,066) University of California-Santa Cruz ($35,171) The University of Texas at Austin ($29,404)

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($86,192) Computer Engineering ($83,934) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($83,874) Mechanical Engineering ($80,259) Chemical Engineering ($79,023) Materials Engineering ($78,276) Engineering-Related Fields ($76,563) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,081)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Michigan State University?
A score of 25/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Astronomy and Astrophysics careers?
With 52% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $418,235 in decade earnings vs $415,041 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Astronomy and Astrophysics from Michigan State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →