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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $0-$30k)

39 Ranked Colleges
170 Degrees Awarded
$40,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 1,268 people earned their degree in astronomy and astrophysics, making the major the 222nd most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, astronomy and astrophysics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $27,700 and had an average of $21,346 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 170 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in astronomy and astrophysics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent astronomy and astrophysics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the astronomy and astrophysics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Northwestern

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Caltech Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

UF also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UF

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harvard University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 16 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#5

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

Princeton University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Princeton, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Full Princeton Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#7

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MIT Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#8

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#7 in overall quality

Cornell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #7 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cornell Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#11

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#25 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Vanderbilt

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Columbia

#13

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full UMN Twin Cities Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#14

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#23 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMCP is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#15

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of California - Los Angeles

#20 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s astronomy degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#18

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Full University of Arizona Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Seattle Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#20

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

With a ranking of #21, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at IU Bloomington

#22

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#23

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Boston University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s astronomy degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Boston U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#24

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #16 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Virginia

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at ASU - Tempe

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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