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2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Southwest Region

[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value astronomy & astrophysics schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Southwest Region

2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Southwest Region

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

Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

1

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

$13,573 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,406 Avg Student Debt

$59,979 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked University Of Arizona the best value for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics in the Southwest Region. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $25,406. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $50,834. Set against $25,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

2

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

$11,688 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,250 Avg Student Debt

$75,121 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #2 place for astronomy & astrophysics. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $25,250. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $29,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

View All Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

• 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.