Best Schools for Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn a median of $74,096 within four years of graduating, ranking #152 out of 283 tracked majors — 18% above the median across all fields. There are 6 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 86 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of California-Berkeley graduates earn $90,943 while The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn $65,987 — a $24,956 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Schools

$74,096

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#152

of 283 Majors

Graduates

Astronomy and Astrophysics by State

Top Astronomy and Astrophysics Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$90,943

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $36,848 (12)

Acceptance: 11.7%

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$66,759

4yr Earnings

20 grads · small sample

1yr: $22,853 (16)

Acceptance: 54.2%

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$65,987

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $36,848 (12)

1yr: $42,770 (23)

Acceptance: 29.1%

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

New York, NY · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

1yr: $42,379 (16)

Grads: 16

Acceptance: 19.1%

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

$26,353

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 43.4%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies $35,723 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) $35,685 Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics $35,464 Agriculture, General $35,456 Biotechnology $35,422 Biopsychology $35,330

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Astronomy and Astrophysics?

University of California-Berkeley ranks #1 for Astronomy and Astrophysics with median graduate earnings of $90,943 within four years of graduating. There are 6 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn?

Astronomy and Astrophysics graduates earn an average of $74,096 within four years of graduating. This is 18% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $65,987 to $90,943 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Astronomy and Astrophysics program?

The average acceptance rate across Astronomy and Astrophysics programs is 40.1%. The most selective program is at University of California-Berkeley with a 11.7% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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