Bachelor’s in Physics – Astrophysics Degree Study the Science Behind the Stars
120
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 18, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | March 22, 2027
Available Spring 2027
Use an Online Astrophysics Degree to Investigate the Physics of the Universe
What physical laws shape planets, power stars, and influence the structure of the universe? Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics – Astrophysics gives you an online path for examining questions like these through mathematics, physics, and scientific analysis. If you’re curious about planets, stars, and galaxies, you can explore the scientific principles that help explain how they form, change, and interact. Along the way, you can build a stronger foundation for continued study in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, and related scientific fields.
Astrophysics brings core areas of physics into the study of space and the universe. In an astrophysics undergraduate degree, you will work with subjects such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, optics, and advanced mathematics. These areas support the quantitative reasoning used to examine celestial phenomena and connect physical theory with observable features of the cosmos.
At Liberty, an online astrophysics degree adds focused study to our broader physics major. You will explore planetary systems, stellar structure and evolution, galaxies, cosmology, and the physical laws that connect these areas while developing experience with scientific problem-solving. The curriculum also includes mathematical modeling, numerical methods, data interpretation, research, and scientific communication. Through Liberty’s faith-informed approach, you can consider scientific discovery alongside questions of order, purpose, integrity, and responsible inquiry.
For students enrolling today, who are placed on the current academic year’s degree completion plan, the officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics – Astrophysics. Degree details, including name, may be subject to change between academic terms.
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What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose an Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Online?
An astrophysics degree can open the door to several opportunities after graduation. Depending on your goals and qualifications, you may pursue opportunities in areas such as aerospace, research, data analysis, education, or other scientific and technical fields. You can also use your undergraduate education as a foundation for graduate study in astrophysics, physics, astronomy, or a related discipline if your intended career requires advanced education.
With Liberty, you can pursue your bachelor’s in physics – astrophysics degree through 100% online courses, giving you greater flexibility to balance college with your other responsibilities. Instead of relocating to attend classes on campus, you can complete your coursework from wherever you have reliable internet access. This format can make an astrophysics education more accessible without compromising on quality.
Your courses will be taught by professors with relevant, real-world experience. You’ll have opportunities to engage with instructors who value careful reasoning, academic inquiry, and clear communication. Liberty also approaches each course from a biblical worldview, allowing you to consider scientific discovery alongside questions of faith, integrity, and responsible inquiry.
You can also personalize part of your degree through dedicated free elective hours. This flexibility gives you room to explore additional subjects that complement your interests, academic goals, or plans after graduation. Whether you are considering graduate school or a particular professional field, your electives can help you shape part of your undergraduate experience around what matters to you.
What Will You Study for a Degree in Astrophysics?
A strong physics foundation will support your study of astrophysics at Liberty. You will work with mathematics such as calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations while also studying mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, quantum physics, optics, and numerical methods. These areas can help you build the quantitative and analytical skills used throughout physics and astrophysics.
Within the astrophysics specialization, you will explore planetary systems and the physical processes that shape them. Your studies will cover topics such as planetary motion, planetary interiors and atmospheres, planets beyond our solar system, and the conditions connected with habitability. You will also examine how physics can be used to understand planets as complex systems. This part of the program connects core physics concepts with questions about worlds both within and beyond our solar system.
You will also study the physics of stars, including how they form, change, and eventually reach the end of their life cycles. Topics include stellar structure, energy transfer within stars, supernova explosions, and stellar remnants. Through this work, you can explore how physical laws and quantitative models help scientists understand stellar behavior.
At the largest scale, you will examine galaxies and the structure of the universe. Your coursework will introduce you to topics such as galactic structure, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic expansion, and cosmological models while emphasizing the connection between theory, data, and observation.
Liberty’s physics curriculum also includes technical communication and a physics capstone. Through the capstone, you will investigate a physics topic, analyze findings, and communicate scientific information in a research-focused setting.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Aerospace analyst
- Data analyst
- Engineer
- Observatory or planetarium technician
- Research scientist
- Science educator
- Science teacher
- Technical consultant
Some positions may require further education or licensure.
Featured Courses
- PHYS 450 – Planetary Science*
- PHYS 451 – Stellar Astrophysics*
- PHYS 452 – Galaxies and Cosmology*
- PHYS 491 – Physics Capstone
*Course guide coming soon
Course Format
We offer both 8-week and full-semester sub-terms each semester. While many online courses can be taken in the 8-week format, some programs require courses that must be taken in the full-semester term. Some courses may require additional approvals or information prior to registration.
In addition to these formats, some courses may be required to be taken in intensive or alternative formats, which may include scheduled meeting times, travel to campus, or required login sessions.
You can view specific sub-term offerings and requirements in the Course Registration Tool.
Degree Information
- This program falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan
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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Many of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2026 when compared to our leading online competitors.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
| Undergraduate Full Time | $410/Credit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Part Time | $475/Credit |
| Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2026-2027. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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Admission Information for Liberty’s BS in Physics – Astrophysics
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- There is no application fee to apply to Liberty University.
- Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Transcript Policies
High School Transcript Policy
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
- Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Military Transfers
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
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Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Potential college credit for military training
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2026-2027. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Undergraduate Physics – Astrophysics Degree
What is astrophysics?
Astrophysics is the study of celestial bodies and the structure of the universe through the principles of physics. It draws on areas such as mechanics, thermodynamics, radiation, quantum physics, mathematics, and computation to examine physical processes beyond Earth. In Liberty’s bachelor’s in physics – astrophysics program, you will apply those foundations to planetary systems, stars, galaxies, and cosmology.
What is an astrophysicist?
An astrophysicist works in a scientific field that applies physics to questions about celestial systems and the universe. Depending on the area of focus, that work can involve planetary science, stellar astrophysics, galaxies, cosmology, quantitative modeling, data interpretation, or related research. This bachelor’s degree can provide undergraduate preparation for further study in astrophysics or a related scientific discipline.
What does an astrophysicist do?
Astrophysicists investigate how planets, stars, galaxies, and other parts of the universe behave by applying principles of physics and mathematics. Their work can involve analyzing astronomical data, developing computer models, conducting research, testing scientific theories, and presenting their findings through papers or conferences. Depending on their area of expertise, astrophysicists can focus on subjects such as planetary systems, stars, galaxies, dark matter, or the origins and evolution of the universe. Research and academic positions in physics and astronomy typically require a PhD, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.* Earning a bachelor’s degree in astronomy is an excellent first step if you aspire to become an astrophysicist.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Physicists and Astronomers (viewed online Aug. 28, 2026). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
How valuable is an astrophysics degree?
The usefulness of a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics depends on your goals, especially because some scientific careers require education beyond the bachelor’s level. Because the curriculum combines physics, mathematics, numerical methods, research, and communication, you can build a foundation with applications across several scientific and analytical settings. You can also use the degree as preparation for graduate study if your intended career requires additional education.
What can you do with an astrophysics degree?
There are several career options you could pursue with an astrophysics degree, including aerospace analyst, data analyst, engineer, observatory or planetarium technician, research scientist, science educator, and technical consultant. Some roles may require additional education, certification, or other employer-specific qualifications.
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