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Best Schools for Astrophysics in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astrophysics education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in Astrophysics
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students 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. Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $54,746 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full astrophysics details for University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong astrophysics program will find one at California Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 94% of students finish within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 15 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astrophysics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers.
Read more about the astrophysics program at California Institute Of Technology
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astrophysics, ranking #3. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the top schools for astrophysics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their astrophysics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $35,171 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Read more about the astrophysics program at University Of California Santa Cruz
Narrow Astrophysics Schools by State
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 · 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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