2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for astronomy & astrophysics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astronomy & astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
