Astronomy and Astrophysics: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 11 reporting college programs.
−$29,726 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of California, Berkeley$90,9432University of Colorado Boulder$72,6983Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$66,7594The University of Texas at Austin$65,9875University of ArizonaNot available6Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottNot available7University of California, Santa CruzNot available8Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachNot available9Rutgers University-New BrunswickNot available10Ohio State University-Main CampusNot availableObserved year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California, BerkeleyBachelor's Degree | Berkeley, CA | $90,943 | $19,500 | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | University of Colorado BoulderBachelor's Degree | Boulder, CO | $72,698 | $22,324 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $66,759 | $24,678 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $65,987 | $25,250 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | Not available | $25,406 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $16,674 |
| 6 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottBachelor's Degree | Prescott, AZ | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $40,287 |
| 7 | University of California, Santa CruzBachelor's Degree | Santa Cruz, CA | Not available | $20,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,890 |
| 8 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachBachelor's Degree | Daytona Beach, FL | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $41,272 |
| 9 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $24,406 |
| 10 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | Not available | $20,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,339 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | Not available | $19,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,354 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.