Astronomy & Astrophysics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools.
The astronomy & astrophysics program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the astronomy & astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 60 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Berkeley
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Harvard University
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at Yale University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yale University awarded about 23 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
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California Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #5. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career.
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Princeton University earned the #6 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. Princeton University awarded about 41 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans.
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University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Chicago came in at #8 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 24 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 39 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 34 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $66,254 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $57,461 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 56 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $58,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Whitman College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Walla Walla. About 80% of students finish within six years. Whitman College awarded about 11 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Whitman College earn around $32,345 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete this degree.
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San Diego State University earned the #14 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at San Diego State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 48 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #16 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 26 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. About 82 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $45,066 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Arizona came in at #18 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 69 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $50,834 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,406.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Arizona
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #19 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 12 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $58,402 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $35,171 in their early career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Florida came in at #21 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 47 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Florida earn around $58,388 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Florida
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #22 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
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University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 18 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans.
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Villanova University landed the #24 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Villanova University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #25 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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Rest of the Top 33 Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong astronomy & astrophysics education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.
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).
