[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong astronomy & astrophysics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy & astrophysics students.
Finding the Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics School for You
Where you study astronomy & astrophysics affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in astronomy & astrophysics, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy & astrophysics will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #10 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,836. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
San Diego State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $16,417. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
California Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $45,783. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,500. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #15 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #17 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,500. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $35,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $29,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Michigan State University came in at #21 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #22 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #23 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Yale University landed the #24 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $14,357. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #25 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $58,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s astronomy & astrophysics value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
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).
[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong astronomy & astrophysics education at a price that pays off.
