DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Astrophysics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Los Angeles the best value for a degree in astrophysics in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the astrophysics program here. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the best values for astrophysics. 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, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astrophysics graduates is $20,500. Early-career astrophysics graduates make about $35,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for astrophysics. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.
Narrow Astrophysics Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
ADBLOCK #116
[Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/astrophysics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
