Compare 7 Astronomy. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $40,017. Top programs: $60,953+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Astronomy tells a different story. Across 7 programs, earnings range from $26,353 to $60,953—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's Astronomy program leads with graduates earning $60,953, compared to the $40,017 average across all programs. University of Colorado Boulder follows at $50,573, while UC Berkeley—despite its 12% admission rate—produces graduates earning $36,848, demonstrating that selectivity doesn't guarantee the highest outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Penn State graduates borrow $25,000 and face just a 8.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41.
Highest program earnings: $60,953
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
8.9% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
24.7% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,953 | 31 | $25,000 | Good | $38,368 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $50,573 | 64 | $19,500 | Good | $46,340 | High | |
| #3 | $36,848 | 53 | $13,000 | Manageable | $28,508 | High | |
| #4 | $36,848 | 33 | $20,500 | Challenging | $26,632 | High | |
| #5 | $35,171 | 28 | $16,666 | Challenging | $28,682 | High | |
| #6 | $33,373 | 16 | $23,250 | High | $37,401 | High | |
| #7 | $26,353 | 40 | $20,484 | High | $28,364 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
