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2027 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

32 Colleges in the United States
865 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded
$62,280 Avg Early-Career Salary

Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools to find the best for astronomy & astrophysics students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the United States

These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in astronomy & astrophysics, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $45,783 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $54,746 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of California Berkeley

3
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 20 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Harvard University

4
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

A rank of #4 makes Yale University one of the top schools for astronomy & astrophysics. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Yale University

5
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Princeton University

6

California Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at California Institute Of Technology

7

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Maryland College Park

8

University Of Chicago earned the #8 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 14 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Chicago

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 20 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

10

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #10 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 39 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of California Los Angeles

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #11 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 36 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $57,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Ohio State University Main Campus

13
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College landed the #13 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 11 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Whitman College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Whitman College earn around $32,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Whitman College

14

San Diego State University came in at #14 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $51,162 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at San Diego State University

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #15 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

16

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #16 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 19 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

17

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 82 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $45,066 in their early career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Colorado Boulder

18

University Of Arizona ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 40 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Arizona

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #19 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 12 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick

20

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #20 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $35,171 in their early career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

21
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 32 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Florida

22

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #22 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 15 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $86,770 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

23

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 16 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $53,666 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

24
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #24 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $72,601 in their early career. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Villanova University

25

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 21 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

Rest of the Top 32 Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong astronomy & astrophysics education:

26
27
28
29
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
30
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
31
32

Other Astronomy & Astrophysics Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Astronomy & Astrophysics rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Master's Degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics

View All Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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