2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy students.
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2027 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Astronomy Schools
University Of Maryland College Park tops our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $24,678. Astronomy graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Villanova University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
