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Best Schools for Astrophysics in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astrophysics education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Astrophysics
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in astrophysics. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 20 astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,783. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full astrophysics program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for astrophysics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 11 astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the astrophysics program make about $57,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
Get the full astrophysics details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Michigan State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best astrophysics schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 32 astrophysics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the astrophysics program make about $33,373 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans.
Get the full astrophysics details for Michigan State University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 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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