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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Astronomy in California

22 Ranked Colleges
51 Degrees Awarded
$39,300 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 765 people earned their degree in astronomy, making the major the 479th most popular in the United States.

Across California, there were 51 astronomy graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in astronomy. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their astronomy program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california astronomical sciences students.

Top 22 Most Focused Colleges for Astronomy in California

1
Monterey Peninsula College crest
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Monterey Peninsula College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California. Monterey, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomical sciences degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at Monterey Peninsula College

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Cruz. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomical sciences students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy at UC Santa Cruz

3
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San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s astronomical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University Astronomy Report

4
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Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Barbara City College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this fairly large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s astronomical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy at SBCC

5
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Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwestern College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Southwestern College is a fairly large public school situated in Chula Vista, California. It awarded 1 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Southwestern College Astronomy Report

6
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Santiago Canyon College
Orange, California

Santiago Canyon College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California ranking. Santiago Canyon College is a fairly large school located in Orange, California that handed out 1 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at Santiago Canyon College

7
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Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

With a ranking of #7, Orange Coast College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large public school situated in Costa Mesa, California. It awarded 1 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at Orange Coast College

8
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Moorpark College
Moorpark, California

Moorpark College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in Moorpark, California, and it awarded 2 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy at Moorpark College

9
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Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

With a ranking of #9, Saddleback College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Saddleback College is located in Mission Viejo, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1 ’s astronomical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Full Saddleback College Astronomy Report

10
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #10, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Astronomy at USC

11
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomical sciences degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Full San Diego City College Astronomy Report

11
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Irvine Valley College
Irvine, California

Irvine Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Irvine Valley College Astronomy Report

11
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Palomar College
San Marcos, California

Palomar College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Palomar College is a fairly large school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Palomar College Astronomy Report

11
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Hartnell College
Salinas, California

Hartnell College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California ranking. Hartnell College is a medium-sized school located in Salinas, California that handed out 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at Hartnell College

11
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #11, San Bernardino Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. San Bernardino Valley College is a medium-sized public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at San Bernardino Valley College

11
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El Camino College
Torrance, California

With a ranking of #11, El Camino College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Located in Torrance, California, this fairly large public school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s astronomical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Full El Camino College Astronomy Report

11
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Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, California

With a ranking of #11, Crafton Hills College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. CHC is a medium-sized public school situated in Yucaipa, California. It awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Crafton Hills College Astronomy Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Astronomy at UCLA

11
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, California

Fullerton College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. Fullerton College is a fairly large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy at Fullerton College

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Astronomy at UC Berkeley

11
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MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

With a ranking of #11, MiraCosta College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. MiraCosta College is a fairly large school located in Oceanside, California that handed out 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy at MiraCosta College

11
Cabrillo College crest
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California

Cabrillo College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomical Sciences Major in California list. This medium-sized school is located in Aptos, California, and it awarded 0 ’s astronomical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy at Cabrillo College

Notes and References

References

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