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#1

#1 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore is one of the most selective schools in the country, choosing to accept only about 1,020 of 14,700...

Acceptance Rate

7%

Annual Degrees Awarded

11

SAT Score

1,440–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$20,715

Median Starting Salary

$48,356

#2

#2 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

In general, Colgate University is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

13

SAT Score

1,420–1,520

Est. Net Price *

$27,074

Median Starting Salary

$53,998

#3

#3 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

the University of California-Santa Cruz is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

47%

Annual Degrees Awarded

48

SAT Score

1,180–1,390

Est. Net Price *

$17,975

Median Starting Salary

$50,225

#4

#4 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA

On average, Caltech receives 16,600 applications each year, with 3% (or 450) resulting in acceptance.

Acceptance Rate

3%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,540–1,590

Est. Net Price *

$20,755

Median Starting Salary

$45,431

#5

#5 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College is a highly selective school. They receive roughly 5,500 applications annually.

Acceptance Rate

48%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,340–1,470

Est. Net Price *

$39,935

Median Starting Salary

$58,773

#6

#6 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

the University of California-Los Angeles is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

9%

Annual Degrees Awarded

41

SAT Score

1,320–1,540

Est. Net Price *

$16,999

Median Starting Salary

$46,944

#7

#7 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

In general, the University of California-Berkeley is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

11%

Annual Degrees Awarded

37

SAT Score

1,330–1,540

Est. Net Price *

$19,257

Median Starting Salary

$46,089

#8

#8 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College is a extremely selective school. The school receives 8,491 applications every admission...

Acceptance Rate

14%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,440–1,550

Est. Net Price *

$21,362

Median Starting Salary

$51,453

#9

#9 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Agnes Scott College
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College is a fairly selective school. The institution receives roughly 1,900 applications...

Acceptance Rate

67%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,160–1,380

Est. Net Price *

$24,305

Median Starting Salary

$54,225

#10

#10 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University requires all freshman students to apply online, using either The Coalition Application...

Acceptance Rate

4%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,500–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$22,058

Median Starting Salary

$44,723

#11

#11 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is a non selective school. They receive about 53,300 applications each year.

Acceptance Rate

88%

Annual Degrees Awarded

21

SAT Score

1,180–1,370

Est. Net Price *

$22,803

Median Starting Salary

$55,827

#12

#12 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA

Lycoming College is a somewhat selective school. They receive approximately 3,000 applications each year.

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,060–1,240

Est. Net Price *

$19,697

Median Starting Salary

$55,274

#13

#13 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

52%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,140–1,370

Est. Net Price *

$27,311

Median Starting Salary

$57,882

#14

#14 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

Generally, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

17

SAT Score

1,290–1,450

Est. Net Price *

$16,018

Median Starting Salary

$55,287

#15

#15 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Every year, Princeton University receives about 38,000 applications.

Acceptance Rate

6%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$18,698

Median Starting Salary

$45,950

#16

#16 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Every year about 15,000 students apply to Williams College with 1,300 receiving their acceptance letters.

Acceptance Rate

8%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,490–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$20,965

Median Starting Salary

$49,376

#17

#17 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

In general, Carnegie Mellon University is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

11%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,500–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$33,499

Median Starting Salary

$54,438

#18

#18 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Yale University
New Haven, CT

When applying for Yale, it is extremely important to keep in mind that they are one of the most selective...

Acceptance Rate

5%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$18,647

Median Starting Salary

$47,331

#19

#19 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI

the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

49%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,270–1,460

Est. Net Price *

$13,376

Median Starting Salary

$57,440

#20

#20 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

Franklin and Marshall College is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

36%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,330–1,450

Est. Net Price *

$31,135

Median Starting Salary

$59,478

#21

#21 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

In general, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

66%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,280–1,480

Est. Net Price *

$17,535

Median Starting Salary

$50,308

#22

#22 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a extremely selective school. The institution receives about 31,000 applications annually.

Acceptance Rate

9%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,500–1,580

Est. Net Price *

$19,902

Median Starting Salary

$50,667

#23

#23 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

10%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,460–1,550

Est. Net Price *

$30,479

Median Starting Salary

$54,570

#24

#24 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Washington University in St Louis is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,480–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$23,432

Median Starting Salary

$54,710

#25

#25 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus
Norman, OK

Generally, the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

73%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,140–1,340

Est. Net Price *

$22,601

Median Starting Salary

$52,182

#26

#26 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

37%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,350–1,490

Est. Net Price *

$30,453

Median Starting Salary

$55,227

#27

#27 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute of Technology is a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

61%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,250–1,420

Est. Net Price *

$28,702

Median Starting Salary

$47,166

#28

#28 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Baylor University
Waco, TX

In general, Baylor University is a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

46%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,270–1,440

Est. Net Price *

$45,988

Median Starting Salary

$56,436

#29

#29 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College is known for being a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

80%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,060–1,290

Est. Net Price *

$30,842

Median Starting Salary

$59,748

#30

#30 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Concordia College at Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Generally, Concordia College at Moorhead is a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

66%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,080–1,310

Est. Net Price *

$23,087

Median Starting Salary

$60,260

#31

#31 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, HI

the University of Hawaii at Manoa is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

73%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

990–1,210

Est. Net Price *

$13,639

Median Starting Salary

$51,958

#32

#32 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

Generally, the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

86%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,180–1,350

Est. Net Price *

$20,149

Median Starting Salary

$53,374

#33

#33 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Oglethorpe University
Atlanta, GA

Generally, Oglethorpe University is a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

71%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,090–1,320

Est. Net Price *

$20,094

Median Starting Salary

$51,940

#34

#34 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH

In general, Ohio University-Main Campus is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

87%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,110–1,280

Est. Net Price *

$20,207

Median Starting Salary

$54,940

#35

#35 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S.

University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

the University of New Mexico-Main Campus is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

96%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

970–1,210

Est. Net Price *

$10,633

Median Starting Salary

$50,730

*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Astrophysics

A program that focuses on the theoretical and observational study of the structure, properties, and behavior of stars, star systems and clusters, stellar life cycles, and related phenomena. Includes instruction in cosmology, plasma kinetics, stellar physics, convolution and non-equilibrium radiation transfer theory, non-Euclidean geometries, mathematical modeling, galactic structure theory, and relativistic astronomy.

California grants the most Bachelors degrees in Astrophysics of all US states with 130 degrees being granted last year. Students wanting to major in Astrophysics can expect around 45% percent of their classmates to be women and 55% percent of their classmates to be male. The majority students graduating in this field earn a Bachelors degree. The average annual income for an undergraduate degree in Astrophysics is $51,867.

Popularity of Astrophysics Degrees in the U.S.
This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Astrophysics degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.
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Careers

For Astrophysics majors, some of the most in demand careers include Natural Sciences Managers, Physicists and Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. Additionally, Astrophysics graduates may land a high-paying job, such as Physicists or Astronomers.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Astrophysics majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Astrophysics majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students
328
Female Students
146 (44%)
Male Students
182 (55%)

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