Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

10 Best Universities in California for Astrophysics and Astronomy

If you are looking to study Astrophysics and Astronomy in California, our index highlights the top 10 domain-leading institutions. Based on 2.62M scholarly articles and 136.75M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Astrophysics and Astronomy. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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1

Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#1 in United States #1 in North America

3% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

2

Berkeley

University of California – Berkeley

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#2 in United States #2 in North America

11% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1868 Founded

3

Stanford

Stanford University

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#3 in United States #3 in North America

4% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1885 Founded

4

Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#13 in United States #13 in North America

9% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1919 Founded

5

San Diego

University of California-San Diego

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#23 in United States #24 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

6

Santa Barbara

University of California – Santa Barbara

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#24 in United States #25 in North America

33% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

7

Santa Cruz

University of California – Santa Cruz

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#25 in United States #26 in North America

66% Acceptance

45,882 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

8

Davis

University of California – Davis

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#34 in United States #36 in North America

42% Acceptance

25,685 Enrollment

1545 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

9

Irvine

University of California – Irvine

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#39 in United States #42 in North America

29% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

10

Los Angeles

University of Southern California

For Astrophysics and Astronomy

#43 in United States #46 in North America

10% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1880 Founded