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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Astronomy Schools in the Great Lakes Region

4 Colleges in the United States
116 Astronomy Degrees Awarded
$61,718 Avg Early-Career Salary

Astronomy is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools to find the best for astronomy students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Astronomy in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astronomy education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Astronomy

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in astronomy. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 10 astronomy degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full astronomy details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 32 astronomy degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Get the full astronomy details for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Astronomy graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,137. More information about a degree in astronomy from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 24 astronomy students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. See the full astronomy program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 26 astronomy degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the astronomy program at Ohio State University Main Campus

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 15 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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