2023 Best Value Colleges for Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k)
17
Ranked Colleges
460
Degrees Awarded
$14,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Astrophysics is the 598th most popular major in the country with 460 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
For this year’s “Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 17 colleges that offer a degree in astrophysics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great astrophysics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the astrophysics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Astrophysics Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Williams College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s astrophysical sciences students in 2020-2021.
Williams not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. It costs about $5,480 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Williams College.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Astrophysics at Williams College
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 17 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $12,190 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full California Institute of Technology Astrophysics Report
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 61 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Astrophysics at UC Berkeley
Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison also made our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read more about Astrophysics at University of Wisconsin - Madison
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Astrophysics at UCLA
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 23 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. It costs about $8,609 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 93%.
Read more about Astrophysics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 65 diplomas to qualified ’s astrophysical sciences students in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UC Santa Cruz Astrophysics Report
With a ranking of #8, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 13 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $13,901 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Astrophysics at University of Colorado Boulder
Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. It costs about $10,628 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Astrophysics at ASU - Tempe
Michigan State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $15,170 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.
Read full report on Astrophysics at Michigan State
Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Brunswick, New Jersey is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astrophysical sciences degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
Rutgers New Brunswick also took the #14 spot in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers New Brunswick is $15,182 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Rutgers New Brunswick Astrophysics Report
Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s astrophysical sciences students in 2020-2021.
Illinois Tech also made our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $21,101 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Illinois Institute of Technology Astrophysics Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 10 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC is $15,966 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Astrophysics at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 6 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $16,846 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 University of Oklahoma Astrophysics Report
Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees to qualified students.
OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio University - Athens Campus is $18,991 for astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Astrophysics Report
Rochester Institute of Technology came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. RIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our astrophysical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, RIT has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Astrophysics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rochester Institute of Technology is $28,857 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astrophysics at RIT
Baylor University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Astrophysical Sciences Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 3 ’s astrophysical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Baylor also made our “Best Astrophysics Schools” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Baylor University is $31,165 for Astrophysical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 more about Astrophysics at Baylor
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
