2027 Best Value Astrophysics Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for astrophysics in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for astrophysics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for astrophysics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $16,097. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

5

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

A rank of #5 makes California Institute Of Technology one of the best values for astrophysics. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for value in astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $45,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value astrophysics schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $21,577. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

9

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #9 among the best values for astrophysics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the astrophysics program here. Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in astrophysics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $25,213. Astrophysics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $33,373 early in their careers. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

11

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value astrophysics schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

12

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #12 position for value in astrophysics this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

13

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #13 position for value in astrophysics this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $27,000. Astrophysics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #14 spot for astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

15

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College came in at #15 for value in astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $17,518. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $32,345. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.