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Astronomy teacher education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an astronomy teacher. Astronomy teachers usually study physics, geology, or general education, specific areas. 62% of astronomy teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 28 real astronomy teacher resumes to see exactly what astronomy teacher education sections show.

The most common colleges for astronomy teachers are the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

There are also many online astronomy teacher courses to help get the education required to be an astronomy teacher.

What education do you need to become an astronomy teacher?

What degree do you need to be an astronomy teacher?

The most common degree for astronomy teachers is bachelor's degree, with 62% of astronomy teachers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 62%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Doctorate, 7%
  • Associate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become an astronomy teacher?

You should major in physics to become an astronomy teacher. 17% of astronomy teachers major in physics. Other common majors for an astronomy teacher include geology and general education, specific areas.

Most common colleges for astronomy teachers

Astronomy teachers often get their degrees at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, University of Chicago, and Manhattan College. Here are the most common colleges for astronomy teachers in the US based on their resumes.
Astronomy teacher common collegePercentages
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology5.56%
University of Chicago5.56%
Manhattan College5.56%
Winona State University5.56%
University of Louisville5.56%

Best majors for astronomy teachers

Best colleges for astronomy teachers

The best colleges for astronomy teachers are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.

An astronomy teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for astronomy teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become astronomy teachers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

8. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

20 best online courses for astronomy teachers

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1. Virtual Teacher Final Project

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The Final Project will be a hands-on, comprehensive project that practitioners of virtual education can implement in their profession. For this final project, learners will draft a design plan for an online learning module utilizing materials learned from the virtual teacher series. Learners will choose the subject matter, method of delivery, tools, instructional strategies, and assessments, with the goal of creating a module of online or blended instruction that meets the needs of their...

2. Music Education for Teachers

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In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...

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5. THINK GLOBAL: TEACHERS TRAINING COURSE (IDP-ICE)

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A group of seven European partners from Catalonia, Belgium, and Wales worked together on the Erasmus+ funded ‘Think Global’ project on global competence. The project seeks to address the following research question through development and piloting of practical classroom activities: What is global competence, and how can it be learned effectively? The Think Global project explores, through international collaboration, how global competence is defined, taught, learned, and measured in the...

6. Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space

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This course is designed for anyone who is interested in learning more about modern astronomy. We will help you get up to date on the most recent astronomical discoveries while also providing support at an introductory level for those who have no background in science...

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9. Get Organized: How to be a Together Teacher

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18. Mindfulness Teacher Training Certificate

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Top 10 most affordable universities for astronomy teachers

The most affordable schools for astronomy teachers are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for astronomy teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for astronomy teachers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

8. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for astronomy teachers

The hardest universities for astronomy teachers to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for astronomy teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for astronomy teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Brown University

Providence, RI • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

10. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,448

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for astronomy teachers

The easiest schools for astronomy teachers to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an astronomy teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for astronomy teachers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

9. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average astronomy teacher salary by education level

According to our data, astronomy teachers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $58,439 annually. Astronomy teachers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $49,486.
Astronomy teacher education levelAstronomy teacher salary
Master's Degree$49,486
Doctorate Degree$58,439

Astronomy teacher education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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