2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools
[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for astronomy students.
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Finding the Best Value Astronomy School for You
The right astronomy school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Astronomy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Astronomy Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Astronomy Schools
For return on investment in astronomy, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for astronomy. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,097. Astronomy graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $19,137. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for astronomy. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #9 among the best values for astronomy. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,836. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among the best values for astronomy. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $45,783. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #14 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $35,171. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Harvard University came in at #15 for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,616. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #16 position for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $29,404. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #18 among the best values for astronomy. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #19 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,195. Astronomy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #20 for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $22,324. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $45,066. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Boston University came in at #22 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,232. Astronomy graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $24,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $39,728. That is a strong return on a $24,678 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Whitman College came in at #24 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $26,184. Astronomy graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
