[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 115 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value astronomy schools.
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Finding the Best Value Astronomy School for You
The astronomy program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Astronomy Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Astronomy Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #5 spot this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best values for astronomy. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for astronomy 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. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,783. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $25,406 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #13 for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the astronomy program here. Astronomy graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $35,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,500. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $58,088. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago landed the #15 spot for astronomy value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #16 position for value in astronomy this year. 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 graduates is $23,258. Astronomy graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for astronomy value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $29,404. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $45,066. Set against $22,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #19 spot for astronomy value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #20 for value in astronomy this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #21 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $14,357. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #22 spot for astronomy value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #23 position for value in astronomy this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $15,005. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $75,976. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for astronomy. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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).
[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
