Finding the Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics School for You
The right astronomy & astrophysics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy & astrophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $17,669. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy & astrophysics will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $54,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $19,137. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $21,792. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #10 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $19,500. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #12 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #13 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #14 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #15 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $21,577. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for astronomy & astrophysics value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago placed #18 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #19 among the best values 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $25,250. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $29,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #21 position for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston placed #22 among the best values for astronomy & astrophysics. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $24,733. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $33,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #24 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #25 for value in astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $58,402. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in astronomy & astrophysics:
Narrow Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools by Region
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- 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.
[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
