2026 Best Value Astronomy Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for astronomy in the United States. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the astronomy program here. 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.

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for astronomy. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #3 place for astronomy. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,481. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

5

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the astronomy program here. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in astronomy this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $21,792. Astronomy graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park placed #8 among the best values for astronomy. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the astronomy program here. 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. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for astronomy value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $20,778. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among the best values for astronomy. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $19,500. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $45,783. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in astronomy 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, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #13 among the best values for astronomy. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

14

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $58,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

15

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #15 spot for astronomy value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

16

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #16 position for value in astronomy this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for value in astronomy this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Astronomy graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Astronomy graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $29,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #18 among the best values for astronomy. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $22,324 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $45,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

19

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in astronomy this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.

20

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #20 spot for astronomy value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the astronomy program here. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

21

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #21 spot for astronomy value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $14,357. Astronomy graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

22

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #22 spot for astronomy value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,232. Astronomy graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

23

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in astronomy this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.