DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 40.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
Best Schools for Astronomy & Astrophysics in the Middle Atlantic 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
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. 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. There were roughly 48 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Cornell University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 22 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
Get the full astronomy & astrophysics details for Cornell University
Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at Princeton University in the most recent 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.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Princeton University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for astronomy & astrophysics. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Maryland College Park
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 11 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data 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
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #6 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. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 35 astronomy & astrophysics degrees 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.
See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
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 · 30 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.
ADBLOCK #116
