University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Graduate students at LPL join a vibrant scientific community dedicated to understanding planetary systems. The approximately 60-70 graduate students form a close-knit cohort, sharing experiences through coursework, research challenges, and social activities. The graduate student organization coordinates academic support, social events, and professional development activities. The research-intensive environment means students spend substantial time in laboratories, at computer terminals analyzing data, or at telescopes gathering observations. Many students participate in field work, studying terrestrial analogs to planetary environments in deserts, volcanic regions, and polar areas. Conference travel provides opportunities to present research and build professional networks. The broader University of Arizona community offers additional resources including recreation facilities, cultural events, and student organizations. The campus atmosphere is collegial and relaxed, reflecting both academic excellence and the Southwestern setting. Tucson offers an affordable and enjoyable lifestyle quite different from major coastal cities. The small-city atmosphere provides accessible amenities without urban intensity. The surrounding Sonoran Desert provides distinctive beauty and excellent conditions for outdoor recreation. The strong astronomy and planetary science community throughout Tucson creates opportunities for intellectual engagement beyond campus.
Location & Surroundings
Tucson, Arizona, offers exceptional conditions for planetary science education and research. The clear, dark skies of the Sonoran Desert provide ideal observing conditions, and southern Arizona hosts one of the world's greatest concentrations of astronomical facilities. Major telescopes on Kitt Peak, Mount Lemmon, and Mount Graham are accessible for student research. The desert environment itself serves as an analog for planetary surfaces studied by LPL researchers. Volcanic features, impact structures, and arid landscapes provide natural laboratories for understanding processes observed on Mars, the Moon, and other bodies. Field courses and research expeditions take advantage of these local resources. The city of Tucson combines small-city accessibility with university-town amenities. Downtown Tucson offers restaurants, cultural venues, and nightlife. Mexican border culture influences local cuisine and arts. The cost of living is substantially lower than coastal cities, enabling graduate students to live comfortably on stipends. The climate features hot summers exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius), mild winters rarely approaching freezing, and low humidity year-round. The monsoon season from July through September brings dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. Air conditioning is essential in summer, but the dry heat is more tolerable than humid conditions elsewhere.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Graduate students at LPL receive full funding packages that cover tuition, fees, and provide living stipends. Funding comes through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships. Current stipends are approximately $32,000-35,000 per year, sufficient for comfortable living in Tucson's affordable market. Additional funding for research expenses, conference travel, and professional development is available through faculty grants, department funds, and external fellowships. Students are encouraged to apply for prestigious external fellowships such as the NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF) and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, which provide additional prestige and resources. Living costs in Tucson are modest by academic standards. Housing costs approximately $800-1,200 per month for apartments near campus. Food, transportation, and personal expenses are similarly affordable. Graduate students can live comfortably without external employment, enabling full focus on research. Career outcomes for LPL graduates are excellent. Alumni hold faculty positions at major universities worldwide, staff positions at NASA centers, research roles at institutes and observatories, and positions in related industries. The doctoral program specifically prepares students for research careers, though some graduates transition to science communication, policy, education, and other fields leveraging their scientific training.
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