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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

25 Colleges in the United States
786 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded
$59,078 Avg Early-Career Salary

Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 163 schools to find the best for astronomy & astrophysics students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the United States

See the highest-ranked astronomy & astrophysics schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics

1

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 40 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 30 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data 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. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 33 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Harvard University

5
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #5. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 12 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Yale University

6
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #6 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Princeton University earn around $67,532 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Princeton University

7

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 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. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 17 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Maryland College Park

8

University Of Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 24 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Chicago

9

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 43 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Los Angeles

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #10 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 18 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

11

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #11 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Brigham Young University Provo

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #12 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $57,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

13

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #13 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 18 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $69,126 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

15

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 21 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. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

16

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #16 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 79 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $45,066 in the first couple years of their career. 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

17

University Of Arizona placed #17 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 21 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of Arizona

18

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Rutgers University New Brunswick

19

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #19 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $35,171 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of California Santa Cruz

20

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #20 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

21

University Of Georgia landed the #21 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 13 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Georgia

22
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #22 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 22 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $58,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Florida

23

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $56,395 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

24

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #24 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 12 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

25

Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #25 spot for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Florida Institute Of Technology awarded about 27 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from Florida Institute Of Technology earn around $69,878 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete this degree. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Florida Institute Of Technology

Rest of the Top 31 Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools

These schools also placed among the best for astronomy & astrophysics this year:

26
27
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
28
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
29
30
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
31

Other Astronomy & Astrophysics Degree Levels

Explore the best astronomy & astrophysics schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Associate's Degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Master's Degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics
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View All Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 163 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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