2027 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physics-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physics education schools.
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2027 Best Value Physics Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for physics education in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $17,125 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Albion College one of the best values for physics education. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $26,047 in student loans. Early-career physics education graduates make about $40,829. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $24,998 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in physics education will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for physics education. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #7 spot for physics education value this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Students borrow a median of $33,307 to complete the physics education program here. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,372. That is a strong return on a $33,307 median debt.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in physics education this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Bradley University earned the #9 position for value in physics education this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Physics Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Calvin College came in at #11 for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $26,022 in student loans. Physics Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,022 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Cedarville University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physics education schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $21,000. Early-career physics education graduates make about $57,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University placed #13 among the best values for physics education. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Physics Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University earned the #14 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,560. Students borrow a median of $25,765 to complete the physics education program here. Physics Education graduates of Trine University earn a median of $54,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College earned the #15 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,580 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $24,889. Physics Education graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. Set against $24,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Hope College earned the #16 position for value in physics education this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,484. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physics education degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $45,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.
Depaul University earned the #17 position for value in physics education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for physics education graduates is $26,910. Early-career physics education graduates make about $52,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
