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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
34 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded
$90,093 Avg Early-Career Salary

Astronomy & Astrophysics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 163 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for astronomy & astrophysics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the United States

Below are the best astronomy & astrophysics schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Astronomy & Astrophysics

1

Our analysis ranked California Institute Of Technology the best school in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 94% of students finish within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $173,344 in their early career. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from California Institute Of Technology

2
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the top schools for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Princeton University awarded about 14 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,888. Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Princeton University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 10 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $29,404 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the astronomy & astrophysics program at The University Of Texas At Austin

Other Astronomy & Astrophysics Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Astronomy & Astrophysics rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Associate's Degrees in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Bachelor'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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