2026 Best Value Planetary Astronomy & Science Schools

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among planetary astronomy & science schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $16,097. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for planetary astronomy & science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $19,500. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $54,746. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for strong value in planetary astronomy & science will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the planetary astronomy & science program here. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

4

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in planetary astronomy & science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Students looking for strong value in planetary astronomy & science will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for planetary astronomy & science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

6

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology came in at #6 for value in planetary astronomy & science this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, planetary astronomy & science degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. California Institute Of Technology admits about 3% of applicants.

7

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for planetary astronomy & science. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Planetary Astronomy & Science graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Early-career planetary astronomy & science graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.