The astrophysics program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Astrophysics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Astrophysics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Astrophysics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in astrophysics. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 23 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the astrophysics program make about $45,783 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astrophysics, ranking #2. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 57 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $54,746 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of California Berkeley
California Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 21 astrophysics degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their astrophysics degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career.
See the full astrophysics program report for California Institute Of Technology
A rank of #4 makes Princeton University one of the top schools for astrophysics. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from Princeton University
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astrophysics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astrophysics program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
Get the full astrophysics details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
Read more about the astrophysics program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #7 for astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 24 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their astrophysics degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $45,066 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of Colorado Boulder
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #8 among the best astrophysics schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 12 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 40 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best astrophysics schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 11 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
See the full astrophysics program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 29 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 astrophysics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,373. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213.
Get the full astrophysics details for Michigan State University
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
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).
