A Bachelors of Science degree is a 4-year degree from a university, also known as an undergraduate degree. This is the degree you get after high school.

You can then continue to graduate school to get a masters and/or Ph.D. A masters degree typically takes 2 years, and the average Ph.D. in physics (and astrophysics) is about 6.5 (not counting the masters). So that’s 10ish years after high school right there.

Then most people go on to do one or two postdoctoral positions, which are 2 to 3 years apiece, before getting a ‘real’ job. So yes, 10 to 16 years before you get a permanent job somewhere.

Money usually isn’t that much of a problem – there are plenty of good state schools you can attend for your 4-year degree in physics (and that’s what it will need to be – physics major with math/astronomy double major/minor). Then most schools will pay YOU to go to graduate school because they’ll want you to teach classes or do research for them at the same time.

Hope that helps.

The key question is why do you want to become an astronomer? Is it something you really enjoy? What do you hope to do as an astronomer? Talk to your science teachers in 7th and 8th grade, even high school and find out more information. High school science will expose you to a lot more things that you may find interesting. See if you can actually talk to some astronomers near you. Go to a local observatory, or look online and see if you can find out some other information. You may find that’s not what you want to do at all, when the time comes. And if it’s still what you want to do, you’ll be far more prepared for it.

I wanted to be an architect at your age, and that changed to architectural engineering in high school. After high school I went into the military and then decided I wanted to be an Electrical engineer. I’ve been an electrical engineer for 10 years now, and I’m about to start educating myself to become a financial advisor. (IMy daughter just finished 6th grade.)

Life doesn’t have to be the same thing all the time, you’re allowed to change your mind. It’s fairly normal to think about these kinds of things at your age, if not worry about them. The key for you is to start focusing on science and math classes if you want to go in that direction. Some of the math you will be required to do is quite difficult for some people. Easy for others, so don’t be discouraged. If you really want to do it, you can.

Good luck.