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2026 Best Value Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools

[Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong astrophysics education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for astrophysics students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Master’s Degree Astrophysics Schools
• Other Degree Levels

2026 Best Value Astrophysics Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Astrophysics Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

$62,688 In-State Tuition & Fees

$10,888 Avg Student Debt

$110,066 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in astrophysics, no school beat Princeton University this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $10,888. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

$65,898 In-State Tuition & Fees

$128,566 Median Earnings (10yr)

California Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value astrophysics schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Astrophysics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.

Other Astrophysics Degree Levels

Explore the best-value astrophysics schools at other degree levels:

View All Astrophysics Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 59 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.