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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall astronomy & astrophysics education in California.
Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $54,746 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of California Berkeley
California Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 19 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for California Institute Of Technology
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 43 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $63,833 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 46 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,171. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
- 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.
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