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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Southwest Region

24 Ranked Colleges
119 Degrees Awarded
$34,500 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Southwest region, there were 119 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,770 and $25,982 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in astronomy and astrophysics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular astronomy and astrophysics programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region”.

1
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Arizona

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at The University of Texas at Austin

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full University of Oklahoma Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Arizona State University - Tempe. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. ASU - Tempe is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 6 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Arizona State University - Tempe

6

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. NMSU Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Full NMSU Main Campus Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

7
NAU crest
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona

Northern Arizona University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. NAU is located in Flagstaff, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 NAU Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

8

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

8

Baylor University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. Waco, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Baylor University

8
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Rice University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 3 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Rice

11

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #11. TCU is located in Fort Worth, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Texas Christian University

12

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Paradise Valley Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Paradise Valley Community College is a public institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Paradise Valley Community College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #13. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott is located in Prescott, Arizona and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott

13

With a ranking of #13, Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Avondale, Arizona 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.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Estrella Mountain Community College

13
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, Texas

With a ranking of #13, Lee College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Lee College is located in Baytown, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Lee College

13

With a ranking of #13, Glendale Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Located in Glendale, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 0 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2020-2021.

Full Glendale Community College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13

Mesa Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. Mesa Community College is a public institution located in Mesa, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Mesa Community College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13

GateWay Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. GateWay Community College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at GateWay Community College

13
Rio Salado College crest
Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona

Rio Salado College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Tempe, Arizona 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.

Full Rio Salado College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #13. Phoenix College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Full Phoenix College Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

13

With a ranking of #13, South Mountain Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. South Mountain Community College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at South Mountain Community College

13

Chandler-Gilbert Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region ranking. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a public institution located in Chandler, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

13
Scottsdale Community College crest
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Astronomy Major in the Southwest Region list. Scottsdale Community College is a medium-sized school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Scottsdale Community College

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