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2027 Best Value Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

15 Colleges in the United States
$19,652 Avg Student Debt
$85,983 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Astrophysics Bachelor's Degree Badge [Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong astrophysics education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for astrophysics students.

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2027 Best Value Astrophysics Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astrophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Astrophysics Schools

1
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among astrophysics schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the astrophysics program here. Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

2

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. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the astrophysics program here. Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

4

Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at California Institute Of Technology, which ranked #5. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #6 among the best values for astrophysics. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astrophysics program here. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #7 for value in astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #8 for value in astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for value in astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $35,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

10
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #10 for value in astrophysics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $23,258. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #12 position for value in astrophysics this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

13

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #13 for value in astrophysics this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $27,000. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $58,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

14

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #14 among the best values for astrophysics. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $22,324. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $45,066. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

15
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College placed #15 among the best values for astrophysics. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $17,518. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

Other Astrophysics Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Astrophysics rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Astrophysics
Master's Degrees in Astrophysics

View All Astrophysics Rankings >

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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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