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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $48-$75k)

39 Ranked Colleges
170 Degrees Awarded
$39,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Astronomy & Astrophysics is the 222nd most popular major in the country with 1,268 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 $48-$75k” 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

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 $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k list, Harvard has also earned the #1 rank 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 Harvard University are $50,654.

Full Harvard Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#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 $48-$75k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Northwestern University

#3

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s astronomy degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

MIT also took the #10 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MIT Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Princeton University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took 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

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 3 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. 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

#6

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k 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 $48-$75k list, Caltech has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Caltech

#7

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. UChicago 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.

UChicago also took 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.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UChicago

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#9 in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UF also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. 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

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#7 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Cornell University

#14 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s astronomy degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #14 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 UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#11

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#25 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #25 rank 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 University are $50,624.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Vanderbilt University

#12

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA

#13

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. U-M 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at U-M

#14

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UMN Twin Cities

With a ranking of #15, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#16

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

University of Arizona came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k list, University of Arizona has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Arizona

#17

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, 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 $48-$75k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #18 rank 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 UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#20 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 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 The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full UT Austin Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#20

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 5 doctorate’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #16 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 Virginia are $32,394.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Virginia

With a ranking of #21, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s 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 UIUC Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#22

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Boston University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Boston U

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#24

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#25

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Boulder are $32,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at CU - 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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