NEW 2026 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2026 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Astrophysics

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Columbia University is separated into 20 different schools which include the College, global research outposts, Juilliard School, Barnard College, and more. Each new student will meet with an adviser to go over their plan and schedule for the upcoming year....view more Acceptance Rate 30% Annual Degrees Awarded 21 SAT Score 1,460–1,530 Median Starting Salary $44,723
#2 #2 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Princeton University Princeton, NJ Princeton University has 37 different concentrations for undergraduates. These include humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Currently, the most popular majors throughout the school are Computer Science, Public Policy Analysis, General, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Operations Research,......view more Acceptance Rate 5% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,510–1,570 Median Starting Salary $45,950
#3 #3 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA At the University of California-Santa Cruz, the most popular majors students pursue are Computer Science, Psychology, General, and Business/Managerial Economics. In fact, the University of California-Santa Cruz awards 653 degrees annually to Computer Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 66% Annual Degrees Awarded 34 SAT Score 1,180–1,390 Median Starting Salary $50,225
#4 #4 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Colgate University Hamilton, NY At Colgate University, the three most popular college majors students study are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Political Science and Government, General, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 14% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,450–1,530 Median Starting Salary $53,998
#5 #5 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA At the University of California-Berkeley, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Computer Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Other, and Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 37 SAT Score 1,330–1,540 Median Starting Salary $46,089
#6 #6 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Williams College Williamstown, MA With 24 departments and 35 majors, a majority of students decide to study in one of these five: Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, English Language and Literature, General, Mathematics, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 8% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,500–1,560 Median Starting Salary $49,376
#7 #7 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Haverford College Haverford, PA Every year, Haverford College awards around 33 degrees to those majoring in Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,460–1,550 Median Starting Salary $51,848
#8 #8 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA At the University of California-Los Angeles, the most popular majors students study are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Psychology, General, Political Science and Government, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 9% Annual Degrees Awarded 28 SAT Score 1,320–1,540 Median Starting Salary $46,944
#9 #9 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA Annually, Franklin and Marshall College awards around 82 degrees to students studying Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 28% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,330–1,470 Median Starting Salary $59,478
#10 #10 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA The popular choices for majors at Caltech are Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, General, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The school has six divisions, all with emphasis on science and engineering, which include 24 majors and 6 minors....view more Acceptance Rate 3% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,540–1,590 Median Starting Salary $45,431
#11 #11 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Each year, Whitman College awards about 34 degrees to students majoring in Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 38% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,330–1,480 Median Starting Salary $58,773
#12 #12 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the most popular majors students pursue are Computer Science, Psychology, General, Finance, and General. In fact, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities awards 593 degrees per year to graduating Computer Science students....view more Acceptance Rate 80% Annual Degrees Awarded 26 SAT Score 1,260–1,420 Median Starting Salary $55,287
#13 #13 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Yale University New Haven, CT Yale offers students seventy possible majors, which must be declared by sophomore or junior years, but students are always welcome to change. Some of the top majors currently are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Political Science and Government, General,......view more Acceptance Rate 4% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,470–1,570 Median Starting Salary $47,331
#14 #14 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Every year, Michigan State University awards around 580 degrees to those majoring in Biology/Biological Sciences, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Advertising, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 28 SAT Score 1,120–1,330 Median Starting Salary $55,827
#15 #15 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Each year, the University of Wisconsin-Madison awards around 665 degrees to students majoring in Computer and Information Sciences, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 45% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 1,350–1,480 Median Starting Salary $57,440
#16 #16 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Wellesley College Wellesley, MA At Wellesley College, the three most popular college majors students study are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 14% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,460–1,560 Median Starting Salary $51,453
#17 #17 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Lycoming College Williamsport, PA Each year, Lycoming College grants around 38 degrees to students studying Criminology, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,080–1,300 Median Starting Salary $55,274
#18 #18 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA At Carnegie Mellon University, the three most popular college majors students study are Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score 1,500–1,570 Median Starting Salary $54,438
#19 #19 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA A liberal arts college, the most popular majors at Swarthmore are Economics, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Mathematics, General, Engineering, General, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 7% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,490–1,560 Median Starting Salary $48,356
#20 #20 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the three most popular college majors students study are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Psychology, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 65% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 1,280–1,480 Median Starting Salary $50,308
#21 #21 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Computer Engineering, General, and Computer Science....view more Acceptance Rate 42% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 1,380–1,530 Median Starting Salary $52,462
#22 #22 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL At Illinois Institute of Technology, the most popular majors students pursue are Computer Science, Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, and Mechanical Engineering. In fact, Illinois Institute of Technology grants 115 degrees per year to graduating Computer Science students....view more Acceptance Rate 55% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,200–1,410 Median Starting Salary $47,166
#23 #23 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Rice University Houston, TX Each year, Rice University grants about 163 degrees to those studying Computer and Information Sciences, General, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 8% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,510–1,570 Median Starting Salary $50,667
#24 #24 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Tufts University Medford, MA Every year, Tufts University grants about 177 degrees to those majoring in Computer Science, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and International Relations and Affairs....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,470–1,560 Median Starting Salary $54,570
#25 #25 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO At Washington University in St Louis, the most popular majors students study are Computer Science, Experimental Psychology, Finance, and General. In fact, Washington University in St Louis grants 210 degrees annually to graduating Computer Science students....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,480–1,560 Median Starting Salary $54,710
#26 #26 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Baylor University Waco, TX At Baylor University, the three most popular college majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 51% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,180–1,380 Median Starting Salary $56,436
#27 #27 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Agnes Scott College Decatur, GA Each year, Agnes Scott College grants about 38 degrees to those studying Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 62% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,180–1,370 Median Starting Salary $54,225
#28 #28 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA At Lehigh University, the most popular majors students pursue are Finance, General, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering. In fact, Lehigh University awards 186 degrees per year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 26% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,380–1,500 Median Starting Salary $55,227
#29 #29 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK At the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Organizational Behavior Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,140–1,340 Median Starting Salary $52,182
#30 #30 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Oglethorpe University Atlanta, GA Every year, Oglethorpe University awards about 54 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,100–1,340 Median Starting Salary $51,940
#31 #31 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, OH Annually, Ohio Wesleyan University awards about 33 degrees to students majoring in Zoology/Animal Biology, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Communication, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 56% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,190–1,380 Median Starting Salary $57,882
#32 #32 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Siena College Loudonville, NY Annually, Siena College grants around 88 degrees to those studying Marketing/Marketing Management, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Finance, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,150–1,380 Median Starting Salary $59,748
#33 #33 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Each year, Ohio University-Main Campus grants around 1212 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,110–1,310 Median Starting Salary $54,940
#34 #34 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM At the University of New Mexico-Main Campus, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 79% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 910–1,180 Median Starting Salary $50,730
#35 #35 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. DePaul University Chicago, IL At DePaul University, the three most popular college majors students study are Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Finance, General, Psychology, and General. In fact, DePaul University grants 269 degrees every year to graduating Cinematography and Film/Video Production students....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,110–1,330 Median Starting Salary $54,611
#36 #36 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the most popular majors students study are Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. In fact, the University of Hawaii at Manoa awards 223 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 87% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,070–1,290 Median Starting Salary $51,958
#37 #37 Best College for Astrophysics in the U.S. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Every year, the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus awards about 455 degrees to those majoring in Marketing/Marketing Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,180–1,350 Median Starting Salary $53,374
*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 101 degrees being granted last year. Students wanting to major in Astrophysics can expect around 42% percent of their classmates to be women and 58% 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.

Less Popular

More Popular

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 Natural Sciences Managers.

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

340

Female Students

144 (42%)

Male Students

196 (57%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Astrophysics

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

30%

21

1,460–1,530

$44,723

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

5%

10

1,510–1,570

$45,950

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

66%

34

1,180–1,390

$50,225

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

14%

9

1,450–1,530

$53,998

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

11%

37

1,330–1,540

$46,089

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

8%

5

1,500–1,560

$49,376

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

12%

5

1,460–1,550

$51,848

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

9%

28

1,320–1,540

$46,944

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

28%

7

1,330–1,470

$59,478

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

3%

2

1,540–1,590

$45,431

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

38%

6

1,330–1,480

$58,773

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

80%

26

1,260–1,420

$55,287

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

4%

9

1,470–1,570

$47,331

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

85%

28

1,120–1,330

$55,827

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

45%

20

1,350–1,480

$57,440

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

14%

4

1,460–1,560