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# Best Astronomy Programs in the United States (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-physical-sciences-colleges/)

This page ranks the 5 Astronomy programs in the United States by median earnings of Astronomy graduates four years after completing, highest first. [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) leads with $90,943, and the figures across the list span from $90,943 to $26,353, with a median of $66,759.

For 1 of the 5 listed programs the earnings figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

All 5 schools are 5 public institutions. University of California-Berkeley posts the lowest average net price at $13,481, and it ranks 4th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

[University of Colorado Boulder](/school/university-of-colorado-boulder/majors/) has the highest admission rate on the list, admitting 78% of applicants.

## The ranked list

5 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley · Berkeley, CA | $90,943 | $13,481 | $5,311 | 11.0% |
|  | [University of California-Berkeley](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/majors/) reports [$90,943 in median earnings](/school/university-of-california-berkeley/outcomes/) for its Astronomy graduates four years after completing, and carries an average net price of $13,481. |
| 2 | University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO | $72,698 | $25,346 | $14,231 | 78.1% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 78%](/school/university-of-colorado-boulder/admissions/), [University of Colorado Boulder](/school/university-of-colorado-boulder/majors/) shows median earnings of $72,698 for its Astronomy graduates four years after completing. |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $66,759 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
|  | [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 3rd on this list, with [median earnings of $66,759](/school/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) for its Astronomy graduates four years after completing and a cohort of 28 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $65,987 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
|  | Graduates of [The University of Texas at Austin](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $20,500](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/outcomes/) in federal loans, while its Astronomy graduates earned a median of $65,987 four years after completing. |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI | $26,353 | $17,354 | $4,200 | 45.2% |
|  | [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/majors/) posts an [average net price of $4,200](/school/university-of-wisconsin-madison/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Astronomy graduates earned a median of $26,353 four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Astronomy graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the United States appear. The figure reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after graduating. For 1 of the 5 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between first-ranked University of California-Berkeley and second-ranked University of Colorado Boulder is $18,245.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Physical Sciences Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-physical-sciences-colleges/)
-   Physical Sciences Colleges for Social Mobility