2023 Best Value Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
6
Ranked Colleges
344
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 1,375 people earned their degree in astronomy and astrophysics, making the major the 219th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, astronomy and astrophysics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,221 and had an average of $24,484 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Far Western US region, there were 344 astronomy and astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $19,734 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 6 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in astronomy and astrophysics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality astronomy and astrophysics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the astronomy and astrophysics program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The astronomy school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 6 Best Value Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 28 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $12,190 for Far Western US Region Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at California Institute of Technology
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 65 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,999 for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UC Berkeley.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Berkeley
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 43 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 51 ’s astronomy degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $6,399 for far western us region astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Out of the 6 schools in the Best Value Astronomy Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #5 spot on the list. University of California - Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Far Western US Region Astronomy students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of California - Santa Cruz
