[Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for astrophysics students.
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Finding the Best Value Astrophysics School for You
The astrophysics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Astrophysics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Astrophysics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in astrophysics in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in astrophysics will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,783. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #7 among the best values for astrophysics. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $35,171. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #8 spot for astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #10 spot for astrophysics value 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #11 for value in astrophysics this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Michigan State University earned the #12 position for value in astrophysics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $33,373. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #13 for value in astrophysics this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Yale University landed the #14 spot for astrophysics value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $14,357. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Astrophysics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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).
[Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
