2027 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Engineering & Applied Physics](/majors/engineering/engineering-physics/engineering-applied-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering & applied physics schools.
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2027 Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering & applied physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering & Applied Physics Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among engineering & applied physics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering & applied physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for engineering & applied physics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,136 to complete the engineering & applied physics program here. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $64,304. That is a strong return on a $20,136 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering & applied physics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering & applied physics will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Engineering & Applied Physics graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career engineering & applied physics graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
