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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region

29 Ranked Colleges
344 Degrees Awarded
$35,800 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in astronomy and astrophysics. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in astronomy and astrophysics.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region”.

Top 29 Most Focused Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Far Western US Region

1
Whitman crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Whitman College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Whitman

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Caltech

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Cruz. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 76 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz

4
Monterey Peninsula College crest
Monterey Peninsula College
Monterey, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Monterey Peninsula College. The school came in at #4 for the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region. Monterey Peninsula College is a medium-sized school located in Monterey, California that handed out 15 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Monterey Peninsula College

5

Out of the 29 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Berkeley

6

University of Hawaii at Hilo came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Hawaii at Hilo is a small public school situated in Hilo, Hawaii. It awarded 3 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Hawaii at Hilo

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this fairly large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UH Manoa

8

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 51 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

9

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 43 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA

10
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full San Diego State University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

11
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Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara City College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at SBCC

12

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%.

Full UNLV Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13
SWC Chula Vista crest
Southwestern College
Chula Vista, California

With a ranking of #13, Southwestern College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. SWC Chula Vista is a fairly large public school situated in Chula Vista, California. It awarded 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Southwestern College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

14
SCC crest
Santiago Canyon College
Orange, California

Santiago Canyon College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Santiago Canyon College is a fairly large public school situated in Orange, California. It awarded 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Santiago Canyon College

15
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, California

Orange Coast College ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Orange Coast College is a fairly large school located in Costa Mesa, California that handed out 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Orange Coast College

16
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Moorpark College
Moorpark, California

With a ranking of #16, Moorpark College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Moorpark, California, this fairly large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Moorpark College

17
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, California

With a ranking of #17, Saddleback College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large school is located in Mission Viejo, California, and it awarded 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Saddleback College

18
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at USC

19
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, California

Hartnell College ranked #19 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Salinas, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Full Hartnell College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

19
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Diego City College is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at San Diego City College

19

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Fairbanks, Alaska, and it awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UAF

19
El Camino College crest
El Camino College
Torrance, California

El Camino College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Torrance, California, this fairly large public school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at El Camino College

19
MiraCosta College crest
MiraCosta College
Oceanside, California

MiraCosta College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Oceanside, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at MiraCosta College

19
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, California

With a ranking of #19, San Bernardino Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.

Full San Bernardino Valley College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

19
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, California

Palomar College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #19. Palomar College is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Palomar College

19
CHC crest
Crafton Hills College
Yucaipa, California

Crafton Hills College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Yucaipa, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 0 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Full Crafton Hills College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

19
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, California

With a ranking of #19, Fullerton College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Fullerton College is a fairly large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Fullerton College

19
Irvine Valley College crest
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, California

With a ranking of #19, Irvine Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region list. Irvine Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Irvine Valley College

19
Cabrillo College crest
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California

Cabrillo College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Cabrillo College

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