Best colleges for Astronomy and Astrophysics in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Santa Cruz and University of California-Los Angeles award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in California: 60, 59 and 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 California colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics and award 235 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program focuses on the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, applying principles from physics and chemistry. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the nature of the…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,746 | 60 | 93% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,171 | 59 | 75% | — | $20,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 60 | $54,746 |
| 2 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Public | 59 | $35,171 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles Public | 39 | Not reported |
| 4 | California Institute of Technology Pasadena Private not-for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 5 | San Diego State University San Diego Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 6 | San Francisco State University San Francisco Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of California-Riverside Riverside Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 9 | El Camino Community College District Torrance Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | Hartnell College Salinas Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 9 California colleges offering Astronomy and Astrophysics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saddleback College | Mission Viejo | Public | 2 |
| College of San Mateo | San Mateo | Public | 2 |
| Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara | Public | 2 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Cabrillo College | Aptos | Public | 1 |
| University of California-San Diego | La Jolla | Public | 1 |
| Fullerton College | Fullerton | Public | 1 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Public | 1 |
| Palomar College | San Marcos | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Astronomers (SOC 19-2011).
Top skills
What Astronomers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Astronomy and Astrophysics programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees?+
University of California-Berkeley (60 graduates a year), University of California-Santa Cruz (59 graduates a year) and University of California-Los Angeles (39 graduates a year) award the most Astronomy and Astrophysics degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 California colleges offer Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Which Astronomy and Astrophysics program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Berkeley tops the list at $54,746. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Astronomers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Astronomers in California is $128,340 (median $123,540), across about 110 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Astronomy and Astrophysics program?+
The Astronomy and Astrophysics program focuses on the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena, applying principles from physics and chemistry. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the nature of the…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, science, writing, mathematics, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Astronomers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.2% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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