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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in Massachusetts

2 Colleges in the United States
$22,361 Avg Student Debt
$85,562 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Badge [Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy & astrophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among astronomy & astrophysics schools in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

3
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #3 place for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $25,232. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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