by our College Data Analytics Team
[Astronomy](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astronomy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astronomy students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for astronomy in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $16,616. Early-career astronomy graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #2 place for astronomy. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy graduates is $25,234. 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.