Good physics/astronomy school with merit

Michigan State should probably be on your list, too if competitive for their full tuition PA program:
https://honorscollege.msu.edu/programs/professorial-assistantship.html
“To qualify for the PA program, a student must be invited to the Honors College at Michigan State University and satisfy ONE of the following criteria:
SAT combined total of 1500 (Reading and Math)
ACT composite of 33, or
Semifinalist status in a National Merit program”