Best Space Studies Schools Near Grand Junction, CO (2026)

Updated September 7, 2026 BLS data College Scorecard On this page

Grand Junction, Colorado is home to about 67,027 residents. Median household income is $66,676 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 36.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Colorado, the top-earning space studies-related role is Aerospace Engineers at a median $156,190 annually (BLS, May 2025).

Closest Space Studies Schools to Grand Junction

The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer space studies programs near Grand Junction, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Grand Junction city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Grand Junction. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO 186.8 miles from Grand Junction
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
73.6 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 78%
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $69,738
Avg net price $25,346/yr
Tuition
In‑state$15,666
Out‑of‑state$44,918
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 90%
  • Programs offered: 108

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

United States Air Force Academy

USAF Academy, CO 197.3 miles from Grand Junction
  • 4 year
79.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 92%
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 30

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Colorado schools on the Colorado space studies page.

Space Studies Wages Near Grand Junction

Occupation Median Annual Wage (Colorado, statewide)
Astronomers N/A
Physicists $104,580
Aerospace Engineers $156,190
Natural Sciences Managers $152,730
Atmospheric and Space Scientists $104,670
Engineers, All Other $132,590
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary $79,190
Physical Scientists, All Other $134,440

Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.

Grand Junction at a Glance

Metric Value Source
Population 67,027 Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income $66,676 Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ 36.1% Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100) 95.5 (below U.S. average) BEA RPP 2024

Other Grand Junction-Area Cities With Space Studies Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the highest-paying space studies roles in Colorado?

Based on BLS May 2025 state wage data, the top-paying space studies-related roles in Colorado are: Aerospace Engineers ($156,190), Natural Sciences Managers ($152,730), Physical Scientists, All Other ($134,440). Wages for Grand Junction workers will track these statewide medians, adjusted for local cost of living.

Should I look at programs in Montrose instead of Grand Junction?

Montrose, CO is 57.3 miles from Grand Junction and has its own set of local space studies programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Grand Junction an affordable place to study space studies?

Grand Junction’s median household income of $66,676 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Grand Junction while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Colorado public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.

How do I verify a program is accredited?

Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.

Learn More About Space Studies Programs

Other Programs Available in Grand Junction

Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Grand Junction:

Data verified: September 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.

Back to Best Space Studies Schools in Colorado: Online Programs (2026)