2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in New York

Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their astronomy & astrophysics programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools to find the best for astronomy & astrophysics students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in New York

Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in New York

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.

Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics

1

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

22 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded

$75,976 Median Starting Salary

Cornell University tops our 2026 ranking of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Cornell University

2

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

35 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded

$86,770 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for astronomy & astrophysics. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 35 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 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.