2027 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy & astrophysics students.
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2027 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy & astrophysics will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #2. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $24,678 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $39,728. That is a strong return on a $24,678 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University placed #6 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $72,601 early in their careers. Set against $26,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.