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2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

39 Ranked Colleges
170 Degrees Awarded
$40,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in astronomy and astrophysics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality astronomy and astrophysics programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

More Ways to Rank Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at MIT

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Northwestern

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Harvard University

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Columbia University in the City of New York

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Princeton is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 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 Princeton are $56,470.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Princeton

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#9 in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Florida

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #7 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 Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Cornell University

#14 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#10

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#25 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#12

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Caltech is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, Caltech has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at California Institute of Technology

#13

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #19 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UMN Twin Cities

#14

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #16 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Virginia Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#20 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 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 Ohio State are $37,141.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#17

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Full UW Seattle Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#19

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Boston University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 also took the #13 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Boston U

#20

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Berkeley Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, 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 IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Indiana University - Bloomington

With a ranking of #22, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UIUC

#23

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#23 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UMCP

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at ASU - Tempe

#25

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#15 in overall quality

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k list, CU - Boulder has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Boulder are $32,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Colorado Boulder

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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