2026 Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools
[Planetary Astronomy & Science](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/planetary-astronomy-and-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for planetary astronomy & science students.
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Finding the Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science School for You
The right planetary astronomy & science school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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2026 Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in planetary astronomy & science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among planetary astronomy & science schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $16,097. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for planetary astronomy & science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $19,500. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in planetary astronomy & science will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the planetary astronomy & science program here. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in planetary astronomy & science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in planetary astronomy & science will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in planetary astronomy & science this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for planetary astronomy & science. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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.
