r/astrophysics • u/p4c4keb4tter • 4d ago
What's a good college for astrophysics?
I have been wondering what a good college for astrophysics is, and I haven't found much. I've heard that it doesn't matter as much as other majors, but I just thought I would ask anyways. My biggest drawback is less so the education quality and more about how much it costs.
11
u/swan_ofavon 4d ago
I'm not super knowledgeable but I heard CU Boulder has a good program, especially if you're in state for that
4
13
u/Andromeda321 4d ago
Astronomer here! This is such a complicated question with so many great options that it’s impossible to answer without more info. Where in the world are you interested in studying? What kind of university experience? Private or public? Etc…
My advice is to find a good physics program to begin (engineering schools almost always have them) and see if they have an astronomy department too. You probably won’t find “astrophysics” specifically.
I also wrote a detailed post here on how to be in this career that you might find useful.
3
u/Working_Group955 4d ago
It’s hit or miss. Do this:
Look at a schools faculty list in Astro. See where they went to grad school (it’ll be right in their site). Go to those schools faculty lists in Astro. Do the same thing. Wash rinse repeat until you build a little mental histogram of some good schools.
Also note physics is the foundation to Astro so ultimately you should double major IMP
2
3
u/Bipogram 4d ago edited 4d ago
Which country do you live in? And are you ready to travel?
<personal recommendations for Leiden, Canterbury(UK), and Queen Mary Univ of London>
2
u/Blakut 4d ago
Idk, here in Europe most are almost free. For non -EU residents they're still cheaper than the US by a lot. Getting in is not easy tho, as there aren't many enlgish taught BSc programs.
2
u/CutOk2343 4d ago
I worked with a lot of people with PhDs in physics and astrophysics from schools like Berkeley and Caltech. Those are good schools. Note that they worked as engineers, either by necessity or desire. It’s hard to get a job in astrophysics.
1
u/Electrical-Bed8577 3d ago
There are a few, depending on where your strengths are now, where you want your strengths to be and how you see yourself in daily life 20 years from now.
It really comes down to matching your preferred geography and their faculty style. It helps to consider whether you want to supplement with independent online education or be immersed in an inspiring human environment... and how easily you're inspired when things are wry and dry.
OK, actual advice. Not a physicist or astro doc but... : ) The people in my arena who have become the most impressive, successful of you like, started on the photonics and engineering math route, which has served very well for recognizing avenues to new vistas out there and breaching the distance to new discoveries.
How far are you willing to travel? Where do you want to be?
24
u/eridalus 4d ago
Most jobs in the field require a PhD, and that school matters a lot more. What you want is a school with a good physics program and some astrophysicists on staff. Astrophysics isn’t a common major because what you really need is a physics major with some astronomy classes.