100 Best colleges for Astrobiology in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Astrobiology. A graph of 8.44M citations received by 213K academic papers made by 322 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Astrobiology

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $23,397
Receiving Aid: 68%
Average Aid: $60,201

2. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Astrobiology

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

3. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Astrobiology

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Astrobiology

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

5. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Astrobiology

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

6. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Astrobiology

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Astrobiology

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

8. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Astrobiology

#8 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

9. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Astrobiology

#9 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

10. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Astrobiology

#10 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

11. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Astrobiology

#11 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

12. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Astrobiology

#12 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

13. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Astrobiology

#13 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

14. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Astrobiology

#14 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

15. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Astrobiology

#15 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

16. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Astrobiology

#17 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

17. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Astrobiology

#18 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

18. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Astrobiology

#19 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

19. University of Texas at Austin

For Astrobiology

#20 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

20. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Astrobiology

#21 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

21. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Astrobiology

#22 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

22. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Astrobiology

#23 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

23. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Astrobiology

#24 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

24. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Astrobiology

#25 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

25. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Astrobiology

#26 in North America

#35 in the World

Enrollment: 355
Male:Female: 21:79
Founded: 1941

26. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Astrobiology

#27 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

27. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Astrobiology

#28 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

28. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Astrobiology

#29 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

29. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Astrobiology

#30 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

30. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Astrobiology

#31 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

31. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Astrobiology

#32 in North America

#47 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

32. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Astrobiology

#33 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

33. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Astrobiology

#34 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

34. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Astrobiology

#35 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

35. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Astrobiology

#36 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

36. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Astrobiology

#38 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

37. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Astrobiology

#39 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

38. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Astrobiology

#40 in North America

#63 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

39. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Astrobiology

#41 in North America

#65 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

40. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Astrobiology

#42 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

41. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Astrobiology

#43 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

42. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Astrobiology

#45 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

43. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Astrobiology

#46 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

44. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Astrobiology

#48 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

45. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Astrobiology

#49 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

46. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Astrobiology

#50 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

47. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Astrobiology

#51 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

48. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Astrobiology

#52 in North America

#107 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $11,577
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $1,900

49. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Astrobiology

#53 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

50. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Astrobiology

#55 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

51. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Astrobiology

#56 in North America

#112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,922
Enrollment: 35,622

52. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Astrobiology

#58 in North America

#115 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

53. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Astrobiology

#59 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $35,940

54. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Astrobiology

#60 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,587

55. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Astrobiology

#61 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

56. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Astrobiology

#62 in North America

#127 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

57. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Astrobiology

#63 in North America

#129 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

58. Catholic University of America

District of Columbia | Washington

For Astrobiology

#64 in North America

#133 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $35,008
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $38,232

59. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Astrobiology

#65 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

60. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Astrobiology

#66 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

61. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Astrobiology

#67 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

62. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Astrobiology

#69 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

63. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Astrobiology

#70 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

64. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Astrobiology

#71 in North America

#159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

65. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Astrobiology

#73 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 91%

66. University of Arkansas

Arkansas | Fayetteville

For Astrobiology

#74 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 73%

67. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Astrobiology

#75 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

68. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Astrobiology

#76 in North America

#172 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

69. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Astrobiology

#78 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

70. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Astrobiology

#79 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

71. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Astrobiology

#80 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

72. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Astrobiology

#81 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

73. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Astrobiology

#82 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

74. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Astrobiology

#83 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

75. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Astrobiology

#84 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

76. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Astrobiology

#85 in North America

#191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

77. University of New Hampshire

New Hampshire | Durham

For Astrobiology

#86 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1220
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 96%

78. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Astrobiology

#87 in North America

#199 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

79. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Astrobiology

#88 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

80. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Astrobiology

#89 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

81. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Astrobiology

#90 in North America

#207 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

82. Berkeley College - Woodland Park

New Jersey | Woodland Park

For Astrobiology

#91 in North America

#208 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $20,068
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $18,293

83. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Astrobiology

#92 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,083

84. University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska | Omaha

For Astrobiology

#93 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 3,786
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1869

85. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Astrobiology

#94 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

86. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Astrobiology

#96 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

87. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Astrobiology

#98 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

88. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Astrobiology

#99 in North America

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

89. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Astrobiology

#100 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

90. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Astrobiology

#101 in North America

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

91. Northern Arizona University

Arizona | Flagstaff

For Astrobiology

#102 in North America

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Receiving Aid: 97%
Average Aid: $12,377
Enrollment: 28,186

92. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Astrobiology

#103 in North America

#248 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

93. Montana State University

Montana | Bozeman

For Astrobiology

#104 in North America

#256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

94. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Astrobiology

#105 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

95. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Astrobiology

#106 in North America

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 84%

96. Seattle University

Washington | Seattle

For Astrobiology

#107 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $37,103

97. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Astrobiology

#108 in North America

#274 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

98. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Astrobiology

#109 in North America

#282 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

99. University of Alabama in Huntsville

Alabama | Huntsville

For Astrobiology

#110 in North America

#287 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1318
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 97%

100. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Astrobiology

#111 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

The best cities to study Astrobiology in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Pasadena, Tucson, Berkeley, and Cambridge.