2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 49 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $54,746. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 30 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $45,783 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 48 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #4. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 39 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Harvard University

5

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 22 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Cornell University

6

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #6 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 14 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Yale University

7

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 19 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for California Institute Of Technology

8

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #8 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Princeton University

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #9 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Chicago

10

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #10 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of California Los Angeles

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #11 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 24 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

12

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $57,901 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Maryland College Park

13

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #13 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Brigham Young University Provo

14

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 35 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

15

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #15 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 35 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #16 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

17

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 34 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

18

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #18 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 79 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $45,066 early in their careers. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Colorado Boulder

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #19 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $58,402 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

20

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #20 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 46 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

21

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 35 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $86,770 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

22

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Georgia

23

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 29 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $58,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Florida

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #24 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Arizona

25

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #25 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 31 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities