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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
$34,100 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Astronomy & Astrophysics is the 219th most popular major in the country with 1,396 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , astronomy & astrophysics graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $29,129 and had an average of $23,581 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 247 astronomy & astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $19,258 and $20,250 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered a degree in astronomy & astrophysics. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their astronomy & astrophysics program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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.

Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 26 Most Focused Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Great Lakes Region

1
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valparaiso University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Valpo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Valparaiso University

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UChicago Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

3

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #3 spot on the list. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Delaware, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full OWU Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 44 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio State

5

Out of the 26 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #5 spot on the list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Illinois Institute of Technology

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UIUC

7

With a ranking of #7, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 35 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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 Wisconsin - Madison Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

8
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 23 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Michigan State University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 28 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

10

Youngstown State University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Youngstown State University is a fairly large public school situated in Youngstown, Ohio. It awarded 2 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Youngstown State University

11
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 8 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

12

Case Western Reserve University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 3 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Case Western Reserve University

13
Butler crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana

Butler University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 5 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Butler University

14

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Indiana University - Bloomington

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 8 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Central Michigan University

16

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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 1.7% 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 more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC

17
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s astronomy degrees to 0 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Wayne State

18

University of Toledo ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Full University of Toledo Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

19
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 ’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ball State

20

With a ranking of #20, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 1 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at OHIO Athens

21
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, DePaul University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at DePaul University

22

Ohio University - Southern Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Ohio University - Southern Campus is a public institution located in Ironton, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio University - Southern Campus

22

Ohio University - Chillicothe Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Chillicothe is a small school located in Chillicothe, Ohio that handed out 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio University - Chillicothe Campus

22

Ohio University - Zanesville Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Zanesville is a public institution located in Zanesville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full OHIO Zanesville Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

22

Ohio University - Lancaster Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. OHIO Lancaster is a small public school situated in Lancaster, Ohio. It awarded 0 ’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio University - Lancaster Campus

22
OHIO Eastern crest
Ohio University - Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, Ohio

With a ranking of #22, Ohio University - Eastern Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Astronomy Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio University - Eastern Campus is a public institution located in Saint Clairsville, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Ohio University - Eastern Campus Astronomy & Astrophysics Report

Notes and References

References

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