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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the astronomy & astrophysics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics
No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for astronomy & astrophysics. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $45,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 35 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. 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
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #5. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 34 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $58,088 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Michigan State University placed #6 among the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 39 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,373. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans.
Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at Michigan State University
Narrow Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 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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