Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers innovative undergraduate degree programs in Astronomy, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Engineering Physics and Space Physics at its campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona.
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Fast Facts
Campus Availability: Daytona Beach, Florida | Prescott, Arizona
Degree Level: Undergraduate
Career Outcomes: Astrophysicist, Planetary Scientist, Launch Operations Specialist
Credit Hours: 120-127
Learning Modality: In-Person
Unlock the Mysteries of the Universe With Physics
What can the universe teach us about the world we live in — and what lies beyond it?
Embry-Riddle's physics programs are designed for students who want to understand how the universe works, discover how celestial bodies influence our planet and explore the possibilities of space travel and deeper space exploration.
Build a strong foundation in physical sciences while developing analytical and problem-solving skills to tackle complex questions. Whether you're interested in uncovering the secrets of distant planets, contributing to scientific research or advancing the technologies that make space exploration possible, you'll find opportunities to turn your curiosity into discovery.
Prepare for a future in research, technology and scientific discovery with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a globally recognized leader in aerospace and STEM.
Program Highlights
Technology at Your Fingertips
Technology at Your Fingertips
High-tech telescopes on both campuses include a 20-inch Ritchey-Chretien telescope, a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and the largest university telescope in the state of Florida.
Research Opportunities
Research Opportunities
Astronomy and physics students have been published in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to groundbreaking research with faculty through grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and even named an exoplanet found by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Premier Labs & Facilities
Premier Labs & Facilities
Students get hands-on experience and apply principles learned in class in our industry-grade labs and facilities on campus.
Physics and Astronomy Programs
Students learn physics and astronomy through both traditional classroom and research-focused courses to understand and explore the universe. You will use the best on-campus observatory in Arizona and emerge from the program prepared to enter a variety of industrial positions as well as being well-prepared for graduate school in astronomy or related fields.
Through a combination of physics and astronomy classroom courses and hands-on laboratory experiences, you will graduate prepared for a broad range of careers using mathematics, physics, optics, astronomy, astrophysics and instrumentation.
The B.S. in Engineering Physics blends engineering and physical sciences in a unique program that opens doors to all fields of engineering and mathematics.
Fundamental and advanced physics principles meet hands-on engineering design and problem-solving techniques that are applicable in space and beyond. Choose from two areas of concentration: Spacecraft Systems or Spacecraft Instrumentation.
The undergraduate Engineering Physics program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Our B.S. in Space Physics is the only bachelor’s program of its kind in the United States! You’ll be introduced to advanced, graduate-level topics as an undergrad.
On the Daytona Beach Campus, students study space exploration through studies including the Earth-sun environment, atmospheric sciences and laboratory plasma physics.
At the Prescott Campus, students learn about the far reaches of space through an applied physics program that includes research opportunities in gravitational and particle astrophysics.
Program Outcomes
Embry‑Riddle graduates are highly sought after in the job market. According to the Office of Institutional Research (2023-24 cohort), 93% of students are employed or continuing their education within one year of graduation. Many Physics and Astronomy graduates pursue advanced degrees to prepare for research and academic careers.
Notable Employers
Blue Origin
The Boeing Company
Honeywell Aerospace
General Electric
Lockheed Martin
NASA - Johnson Space Center
Northrop Grumman
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Military
Notable Careers
Data Analyst
Mechanical Engineer
Optical Engineer
Physicist
Project Engineer
Research Analyst
Research Assistant
Software Developer
Systems Engineer
Scholarships and Aid
Did you know that 96% of Embry‑Riddle first-year students receive some form of financial aid through scholarships, grants and loans? Millions of dollars of internal and external scholarships are disbursed to students every year.
Don’t let the cost of attending deter you from advancing your education and your career. Our dedicated counselors can advise you on ways to help finance your future and focus on your studies. You can be assured that an investment in Embry‑Riddle is a wise one.
To me, studying space meant studying the unknown. There's so much we don’t know about the universe and it’s all there to be discovered; someone just has to do it!”
Logan Price (’26), B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Embry‑Riddle by the Numbers
#1
Highest-paid graduates in Florida and Arizona
Business Insider, 2026
100+
Degrees to choose from
93%
Employed or continuing education within one year of graduation
To me, studying space meant studying the unknown. There's so much we don’t know about the universe and it’s all there to be discovered; someone just has to do it!” Logan Price (’26), B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics
