Latest Update from AIP on Astronomy Degree Recipients
A new report from the American Institute of Physics (AIP) Statistics Research Center details the initial employment outcomes of astronomy bachelor's, master's, and PhD degree recipients from the classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016 combined. It includes data on starting salaries, employment sectors, and fields of employment. The report also includes data on the proportion of astronomy bachelor's and master's recipients who continued their education after receiving their degrees. The data come from the annual AIP follow-up survey conducted in the winter following the academic year in which the students received their degrees.
The number of students earning undergraduate astronomy degrees in the US has been steadily increasing. In 2015–16, an all-time high of 469 astronomy bachelor's degrees were awarded; this was up 14% from the previous year. In this report we look at what these students did after earning their astronomy degrees using data from our degree follow-up survey. In addition to students earning bachelor's degrees, we also look at those earning masters and doctorates in astronomy. Since the number of graduates each year is relatively low, we combine survey responses from the classes of 2014, 2015, and 2016.
— Patrick Mulvey and Jack Pold, AIP Statistical Research Center