Overview

Key Features

The study of Astronomy embraces questions that have been posed since humans first looked at the sky. How old is the universe? Will it continue to expand forever? When did the first stars form? How do galaxies evolve? Do all stars have planetary systems? Are any exoplanets habitable? Could there be life elsewhere in the universe? Within that cosmological framework, astronomers at Vassar study the universe on several scales. They study and observe galaxies - gravitationally-bound collections of hundreds of billions of stars - to answer questions about them. Why do some galaxies form spiral structures? How do colliding galaxies interact? What are the life cycles of stars and star clusters within them? At the on-campus observatory, students monitor variable objects like supernovae (exploded high mass stars), quasars (supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies), cataclysmic binaries (stars in contact with each other, exchanging mass as they evolve), exoplanets (detected as they cross in front of their star), and solar system objects.

The hands-on approach of the Astronomy program from Vassar College was shaped by Maria Mitchell, America’s first woman astronomer and also the first director of the Vassar College Observatory. She was famous for pushing her students to think for themselves, do their own research, and come to their own conclusions. She believed that students work best when they are part of a supportive scientific community. The astronomy faculty at Vassar College are committed to the same principles, with a myriad of opportunities for learning and research available to students in the department.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Stellar Astrophysics

Observational Astronomy

Life in the Universe

Astrophysics of the Interstellar Medium

Planetary and Space Science

Galaxies and Galactic Structure

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-01 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Poughkeepsie, United States

Disciplines

Astronomy & Space Sciences View 250 other Bachelors in Astronomy & Space Sciences in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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Other requirements

General requirements

Common Application
$65 application fee or a fee waiver
School Report with the Counselor Recommendation and High School Transcript: To be completed and sent by your school counselor.
A Teacher Evaluation
Mid-year Report: Your school counselor or another school official must submit your mid-year grades to us. Early Decision applicants must submit a fall progress report and will be asked to provide their first-term grades as soon as they become available.
If English is neither your first language nor the primary language of instruction in secondary schools you have attended for the last three years.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

73275 USD / year

≈ 73275 USD / year
Out-of-State

73275 USD / year

≈ 73275 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

73275 USD / year

≈ 73275 USD / year

Living costs

Poughkeepsie

United States

1138 - 2480 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Astronomy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Poughkeepsie

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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