2027 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value astrophysics schools.
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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
For return on investment in astrophysics, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for astrophysics. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado Boulder earned it the #3 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $22,324. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $45,066. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Other Astrophysics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Astrophysics rankings across degree levels:
View All Astrophysics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
