2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics
43
Ranked Colleges
173
Degrees Awarded
$35,400
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major” ranking.
In 2021-2022, 1,396 people earned their degree in astronomy & astrophysics, making the major the 219th most popular in the United States. 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.
At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 173 astronomy & astrophysics graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,979 and $43,370 respectively.
For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer a degree in astronomy & astrophysics. That schools that top this list have a program in astronomy & astrophysics in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major”.
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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major
The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree astronomy students.
Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics
Out of the 43 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 degrees to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Caltech
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 12 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. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Princeton Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rochester Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major. RIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Rochester, New York. It awarded 6 masters’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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Rochester Institute of Technology Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
Out of the 43 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Colorado Boulder landed the #4 spot on the list. CU - Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, 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 87%.
Full University of Colorado Boulder Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Northwestern University
Harvard University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 19 students in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Harvard University
Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #7. Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Wesleyan U
University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #8. UH Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
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%.
Full UH Manoa Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.
Full University of Arizona Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz
University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 5 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of California - Berkeley
With a ranking of #12, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at UMCP
New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 1 masters’s astronomy degrees in 2021-2022.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #14. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at San Diego State University
Florida Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #15. Florida Tech is a private not-for-profit institution located in Melbourne, Florida. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 masters’s 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%.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Florida Tech
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
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 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Ohio State
With a ranking of #17, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. RPI is a private not-for-profit institution located in Troy, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
With a ranking of #18, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 30 students in 2021-2022.
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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at UChicago
With a ranking of #19, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at IU Bloomington
Cornell University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #20. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Cornell University
University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Astronomy & Astrophysics at University of Virginia
With a ranking of #22, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified masters’s astronomy students in 2021-2022.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Massachusetts Amherst Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking, coming in at #23. Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3 masters’s astronomy degrees to qualified students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Astronomy & Astrophysics at Columbia
Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major ranking. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s astronomy degrees to 3 students in 2021-2022.
With a freshman retention rate of 99%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full Massachusetts Institute of Technology Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
With a ranking of #25, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Astronomy Major list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 3 masters’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 undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Case Western Reserve University Astronomy & Astrophysics Report
