by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2024, College Factual analyzed 38 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Astronomy Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 765 degrees in astronomy during the 2020-2021 academic year.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Your choice of astronomy school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Astronomy School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Astronomy Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the astronomical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
University of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in astronomy. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 28 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Chicago
It is difficult to beat Northwestern University if you want to pursue a degree in astronomy. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were approximately 8 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in astronomy from Northwestern University
The University of Texas at Austin is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in astronomy. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the large city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.
There were approximately 34 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from The University of Texas at Austin
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a great option for students interested in a degree in astronomy. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.
There were approximately 27 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
UMass Amherst is a very large public university located in the suburb of Amherst. This university ranks 11th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
There were about 20 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Arizona is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Tucson. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There were approximately 32 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Arizona
Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.
There were approximately 45 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Maryland - College Park
Located in the city of Boulder, CU - Boulder is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 33 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.
There were approximately 60 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at CU - Boulder in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Colorado Boulder
Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 40 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in astronomy from Ohio State University - Main Campus
UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.
There were roughly 4 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in astronomy from University of Wisconsin - MadisonView the Best Astronomy Schools for a specific region near you.
Astronomy is one of 3 different types of Astronomy & Astrophysics programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Astrophysics | 460 |
| Other Astronomy & Astrophysics | 95 |
| Planetary Astronomy & Science | 55 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
