Astrophysicist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become an Astrophysicist

Best Schools to become a Astrophysicist in U.S. 2024

University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:26%
Graduation Rate:86%
Total Enrollment:26,420

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA

In-State Tuition:$11,189
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,687
Admission Rate:48%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:52,319

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

In-State Tuition:$11,004
Out-of-State Tuition:$37,376
Admission Rate:81%
Graduation Rate:75%
Total Enrollment:39,585

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

In-State Tuition:$11,698
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,070
Admission Rate:31%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:52,384

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:11%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:45,307

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH

In-State Tuition:$11,525
Out-of-State Tuition:$35,782
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:60,540
Astrophysicist Job Description:
  • Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become an Astrophysicist

Job Duties for Astrophysicists

  • Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.

  • Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.

  • Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.

Technologies and Skills Used by Astrophysicists

Analytical or scientific software

  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica

Development environment software

  • Eclipse IDE
  • Microsoft Azure software

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for an Astrophysicist

Additional Resources To Help You Become an Astrophysicist

FAQs About Becoming an Astrophysicist