2027 Best Value Astronomy Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong astronomy education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy students.
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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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in astronomy in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. 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.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $19,500. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for astronomy. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $15,854. Astronomy graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #8 position for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,417. Astronomy graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,836. Astronomy graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $19,500. Astronomy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in astronomy this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $58,088. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #12 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #13 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #14 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #15 spot for astronomy value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,250. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $29,404. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #16 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #18 among the best values for astronomy. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Yale University placed #19 among the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $14,357. Astronomy graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #20 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $45,066. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,232. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in astronomy this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $24,678. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $39,728. Set against $24,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Whitman College earned the #23 position for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $17,518 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,518 median debt. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Villanova University came in at #24 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $26,184. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $72,601. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Other Astronomy Degree Levels
Explore the best-value astronomy schools at other degree levels:
View All Astronomy Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
