2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in California
Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for astronomy & astrophysics students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astronomy & astrophysics education in California.
Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $54,746 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of California Berkeley
California Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 19 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for California Institute Of Technology
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 43 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #4 on our 2026 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. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 46 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
More Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
