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2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

34 Ranked Colleges
195 Degrees Awarded
$34,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master's For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 195 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 34 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.

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 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 Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $75-$110k)

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 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 Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Northwestern University

#2

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a fairly large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 1 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT also took the #7 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at MIT

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree astronomy students whose families make $75-$110k list, Columbia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Columbia University in the City of New York

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #4 spot on the list. Princeton University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Princeton, New Jersey. It awarded 15 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Princeton

#5

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#7

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 13 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree astronomy students whose families make $75-$110k list, Cornell has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Cornell

#8

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#16 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #16 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#9

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#8 in overall quality

University of Arizona came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 Arizona are $33,399.

Full University of Arizona Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#11

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA

#20 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 11 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree astronomy students whose families make $75-$110k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UW Seattle

#13

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #14 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

With a ranking of #14, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. UNLV is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

With a ranking of #15, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#16

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 9 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UMCP

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UT Austin

With a ranking of #18, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 1 masters’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 Iowa State University are $25,948.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Iowa State

#19

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 3 masters’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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

Full San Diego State University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#20

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public institution located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Hawaii at Manoa Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#18 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#19 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio State

#23

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 4 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’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 California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Full UC Berkeley Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

#24

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 2 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Astronomy Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

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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