Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for astrophysics students pursuing a degree.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Choosing a Great Astrophysics School
Where you study astrophysics matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Astrophysics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Astrophysics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Astrophysics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Astrophysics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best astrophysics schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 20 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes California Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for astrophysics. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 15 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
Get the full astrophysics details for California Institute Of Technology
Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astrophysics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 astrophysics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888.
Get the full astrophysics details for Princeton University
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for astrophysics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 28 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astrophysics degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astrophysics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 17 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,324.
Get the full astrophysics details for University Of Colorado Boulder
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #8 spot for astrophysics this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astrophysics from Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 34 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #10 among the best astrophysics schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 21 astrophysics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
Get the full astrophysics details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #11 among the best astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 31 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for astrophysics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 32 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $33,373 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete this degree.
See the full astrophysics program report for Michigan State University
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 59 schools evaluated.
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).
