2027 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astronomy & astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #6 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #9 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #10 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
California Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #12 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #14 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #15 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #16 position 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. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Harvard University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $16,616. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #18 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #19 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $18,627. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #20 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #21 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $23,258. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #22 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $25,195. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Yale University landed the #23 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #24 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $58,402. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #25 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for astronomy & astrophysics this year:
Other Astronomy & Astrophysics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Astronomy & Astrophysics rankings across degree levels:
View All Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
