2027 Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Planetary Astronomy & Science](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/planetary-astronomy-and-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for planetary astronomy & science students.
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2027 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. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $16,097. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for planetary astronomy & science. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $19,500. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $54,746. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
California Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in planetary astronomy & science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. 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.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $25,406. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for planetary astronomy & science. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Harvard University came in at #6 for value in planetary astronomy & science this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the planetary astronomy & science program here. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #7 spot for planetary astronomy & science value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $32,114. 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%.
Other Planetary Astronomy & Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Planetary Astronomy & Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Planetary Astronomy & Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
