2026 Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Schools
Looking for the best Astronomy And Astrophysics programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 163 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Astronomy And Astrophysics Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Northwestern University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $16,616. More on Northwestern University
The strong Astronomy And Astrophysics programs at Illinois Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $26,774. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
Out of the 163 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #3 spot. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $25,250. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
The strong Astronomy And Astrophysics programs at Rochester Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Rochester Institute Of Technology Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $27,491 in debt. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $15,854. Read more about University Of Chicago
University Of California Berkeley came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Williams College landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school based in Williamstown, MA. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. See the full Williams College profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #9 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit school based in Daytona Beach, FL. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $27,000. More on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
University Of Wyoming placed #11 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. Based in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $20,283. Get the full University Of Wyoming report
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $15,005. More on Cornell University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Set in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. University Of Colorado Boulder posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Graduates carry a median of $22,324 in student loans. More on University Of Colorado Boulder
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Union College New York landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. Union College New York Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $25,869 in debt. See the full Union College New York profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $13,426. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #22 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Michigan State University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $25,213. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Baylor University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Located in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $23,928. See the full Baylor University profile
Smith College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $18,941. Get the full Smith College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $25,234. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #27 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $16,481. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Boston University placed #29 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
University Of Georgia placed #30 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $21,792. Get the full University Of Georgia report
San Diego State University placed #31 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. San Diego State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $16,417. Read the full report on San Diego State University
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of Iowa placed #33 among Astronomy And Astrophysics schools in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $24,463. More on University Of Iowa
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $16,097. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $23,530. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school based in Las Vegas, NV. University Of Nevada Las Vegas posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Rutgers University New Brunswick posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
Ball State University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Ball State University Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $24,518 in debt. Get the full Ball State University report
Ohio University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. More on Ohio University Main Campus
Brigham Young University Provo did well this year, earning the #42 position. Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit school based in Provo, UT. About 81% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,688. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $12,184. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile
California Institute Of Technology landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pasadena, CA, California Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. More on California Institute Of Technology
George Mason University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $23,529. Read more about George Mason University
Valparaiso University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Located in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. Valparaiso University graduates 70% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Valparaiso University Astronomy And Astrophysics students take on a median of $26,724 in debt. More on Valparaiso University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Astronomy And Astrophysics program debt is $19,137. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Florida ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. Get the full University Of Florida report
Emory University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Astronomy And Astrophysics schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Astronomy And Astrophysics program here. Get the full Emory University report
Stony Brook University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Stony Brook University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical Astronomy And Astrophysics student debt is $20,537. More on Stony Brook University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Astronomy And Astrophysics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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