2027 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Astronomy & Astrophysics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their astronomy & astrophysics programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools to find the best for astronomy & astrophysics students.
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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astronomy & astrophysics education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 30 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 24 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 34 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $66,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 49 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $58,088 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Michigan State University came in at #6 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 44 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $33,373 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Michigan State University
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Notes and References
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 · 6 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.
