2023 Best Value Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
6
Ranked Colleges
344
Degrees Awarded
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 1,375 people earned their degree in astronomy and astrophysics, making the major the 219th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, astronomy and astrophysics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,221 and had an average of $24,484 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 344 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $19,734 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 6 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the astronomy and astrophysics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 6 Best Value Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 6 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 28 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,755 for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Caltech.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at California Institute of Technology
Out of the 6 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 65 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Berkeley is $13,423 for Far Western US Region Astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of California - Berkeley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 51 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $8,393 for Far Western US Region Astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.
The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UW Seattle
Out of the 6 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 43 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $12,644 for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA
Out of the 6 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $15,567 for Far Western US Region Astronomy students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz
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