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2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$19,154 Avg Student Debt
$78,158 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Astronomy Badge [Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astronomy degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Astronomy Schools

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among astronomy schools in the Great Lakes Region. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. 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. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

3

University Of Chicago came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,500. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for astronomy. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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