2026 Best Value Astronomy Master’s Degree Schools
[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 115 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the United States
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
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #1 spot for value among astronomy schools in the United States. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $29,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Other Astronomy Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Astronomy rankings across degree levels:
View All Astronomy Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
