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2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

11 Ranked Colleges
133 Degrees Awarded
$12,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor's in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 203 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 133 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,278 and $24,587 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 11 colleges that offer a degree in astronomy and astrophysics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great astronomy and astrophysics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the astronomy and astrophysics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 11 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k) in the Middle Atlantic Region

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #1 spot on the list. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s astronomy degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $4,287 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Columbia

#2

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #2 spot on the list. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s astronomy degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Princeton has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $2,044 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Princeton.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Princeton University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#3

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cornell University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cornell is $7,518 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cornell University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#4

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carnegie Mellon University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 2 bachelors’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Carnegie Mellon has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $13,782 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Carnegie Mellon Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#5

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 11 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Maryland - College Park is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $12,128 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Maryland - College Park

#6

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 13 bachelors’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Rutgers New Brunswick also took the #6 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers University - New Brunswick is $15,779 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

#7

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York
#7 in overall quality

Stony Brook University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SUNY Stony Brook is located in Stony Brook, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

SUNY Stony Brook not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Stony Brook University is $12,993 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stony Brook University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#8

Union College New York

Schenectady, New York
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Union College New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Union College is located in Schenectady, New York and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 bachelors’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Union College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Union College New York is $14,952 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Union College New York

#9

George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, George Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $17,924 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend George Washington University.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full GWU Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#10

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, New York
#11 in overall quality

SUNY New Paltz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. New Paltz, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s astronomy degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SUNY New Paltz also took the #11 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SUNY New Paltz is $14,870 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full SUNY New Paltz Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. It costs about $21,011 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

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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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