Best Astrophysics and Astronomy colleges in the US [Rankings]

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Astrophysics and Astronomy. A graph of 84.7M citations received by 1.87M academic papers made by 924 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 Astrophysics and Astronomy

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

2. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

3. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

5. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#5 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

6. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#6 in North America

#8 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

7. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#7 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

9. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#9 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

10. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#10 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

11. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#11 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

12. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

13. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

14. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

15. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

16. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#17 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

17. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#18 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

18. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#19 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

19. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#20 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

20. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#21 in North America

#27 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

21. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#22 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

22. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#23 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

23. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#24 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

24. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#25 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

25. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#26 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

26. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#27 in North America

#35 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

27. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#28 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

28. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#29 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

29. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#30 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

30. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#32 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

31. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#33 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

32. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#34 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

33. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#35 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

34. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#36 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

35. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#37 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

36. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#38 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

37. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#40 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

38. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#41 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

39. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#42 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

40. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#43 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

41. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#44 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

42. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#45 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

43. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#46 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

44. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#48 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

45. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#49 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

46. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#50 in North America

#103 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

47. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#51 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

48. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#52 in North America

#110 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

49. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#53 in North America

#111 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#56 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

51. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#57 in North America

#124 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

52. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#58 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

53. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#60 in North America

#132 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

54. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#61 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

55. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#62 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

56. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#63 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

57. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#65 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

58. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#66 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

59. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#68 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

60. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#69 in North America

#158 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

61. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#71 in North America

#173 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1187
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 76%

62. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#72 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

63. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#73 in North America

#182 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

64. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#74 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

65. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#75 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

66. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#76 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1508
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,300

67. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#77 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $12,328
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,018

68. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#78 in North America

#201 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

69. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#79 in North America

#207 in the World

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

70. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#80 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

71. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#81 in North America

#213 in the World

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

72. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#82 in North America

#214 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

73. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#83 in North America

#215 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

74. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#85 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

75. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#86 in North America

#231 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

76. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#87 in North America

#240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

77. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#88 in North America

#241 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

78. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#89 in North America

#255 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

79. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#90 in North America

#257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

80. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#91 in North America

#258 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

81. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#92 in North America

#259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

82. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#93 in North America

#261 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

83. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#95 in North America

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,636
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

84. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

New York State | Troy

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#96 in North America

#270 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1443
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $38,887

85. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#97 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

86. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#98 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

87. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#99 in North America

#278 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

88. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#100 in North America

#281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 92%

89. New Mexico State University

New Mexico | Las Cruces

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#102 in North America

#299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 990
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 96%

90. Syracuse University

New York State | Syracuse

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#103 in North America

#304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1355
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,215

91. University of Alabama in Huntsville

Alabama | Huntsville

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#104 in North America

#307 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 97%

92. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#106 in North America

#314 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 79%

93. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#107 in North America

#317 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

94. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Texas | Dallas

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#108 in North America

#322 in the World

Enrollment: 2,549
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1943

95. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#109 in North America

#323 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

96. Northeastern University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#110 in North America

#326 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $34,207

97. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#111 in North America

#335 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

98. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#112 in North America

#337 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

99. Georgia State University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#113 in North America

#340 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1060
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 94%

100. University of Maryland - Baltimore County

Maryland | Baltimore

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#115 in North America

#344 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 72%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 93%

Physics subfields in the United States