ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Southeast Region

4 Colleges in the United States
146 Astronomy & Astrophysics Degrees Awarded
$60,234 Avg Early-Career Salary

Astronomy & Astrophysics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best astronomy & astrophysics schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
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 Southeast 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

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Virginia Main Campus this year for astronomy & astrophysics. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 35 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

University Of Georgia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 astronomy & astrophysics degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $53,546 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from University Of Georgia

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. See the full astronomy & astrophysics program report for University Of Florida

4

Florida Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in astronomy & astrophysics, ranking #4. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Institute Of Technology awarded about 32 astronomy & astrophysics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the astronomy & astrophysics program make about $69,878 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Florida Institute Of Technology

5
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

Students looking for a strong astronomy & astrophysics program will find one at College Of Charleston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their astronomy & astrophysics degree from College Of Charleston earn around $40,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from College Of Charleston

6

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #6 for astronomy & astrophysics this year. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 27 astronomy & astrophysics students who graduated with this degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach in the most recent data year. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $70,246 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in astronomy & astrophysics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

ADBLOCK #173
View All Astronomy & Astrophysics Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 15 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options