by our College Data Analytics Team
[Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for astrophysics students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among astrophysics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for astrophysics. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $23,258. Astrophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.