2023 Astronomy Students

STUDENTS

College often is an extremely significant time in one's life; it's an opportunity for personal growth and development. Pupils continue to learn who they can be and build many of the necessary skills to be a flourishing member of society. But learning is more than what one learns in the classroom - the campus dialogue, the nugget of wisdom received from a tenured professor, the exposure to a different background. As such, a diverse campus tremendously enhances what you gain from your time in school.

Astronomy is a less ethnically diverse major than average*. 65% of the United States' Astronomy majors are white students, followed by students of other races**(20%), latino students (8%), and asian students (5%). The most ethnically diverse college* in the top 100 is Case Western Reserve University located in Cleveland, OH.

Secondly, Astronomy significatly skews male, with a bit north of 5 out of 8 students majoring in Astronomy identifying as men. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is University of Georgia in Athens, GA.

Another significant type of diversity is class diversity. Unfortunately, Astronomy is one of the nation's least financially diverse subjects (Bottom 17%). 34% of its majors come from families who take home over $110,000 a year, 16% are from mid-income households, and 20% grew up in families who take home south of $30,000 a year. Indiana University-Bloomington has the most fiscally diverse student body in the top 100.

Considering each type of diversity, overall HI is the most diverse state for Astronomy. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the University Athletic Association is the most diverse conference.

* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on Simpson's Diversity Index
** other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

Diversity Statistics

Racial Diversity

• Asian: 5%

• Black: 2%

• Latino: 8%

• White: 65%

• Other: 20%

  Gender Diversity

• Male: 63%

• Female: 37%

  Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

• Under 30k: 20%

• 30k - 48k: 14%

• 48k - 75k: 16%

• 75k - 110k: 16%

• Over 110k: 34%

  Geographic Diversity

• In State: 64%

• Out of State: 29%

• International: 7%