2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.
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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in general physics in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $22,250. Early-career general physics graduates make about $74,302. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in general physics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $77,211 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $30,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #8 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,687 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $25,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $54,428. Set against $26,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $36,878. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $82,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #12 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,838. Early-career general physics graduates make about $55,718. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,923. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. General Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $56,792. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,546. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College earned the #17 position for value in general physics this year. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. In-state tuition and fees average $60,886. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,998. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Beloit College generally make around $33,499. That is a strong return on a $25,998 median debt. Beloit College admits about 63% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $25,936. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. Set against $25,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #21 position for value in general physics this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $23,292. Early-career general physics graduates make about $43,654. Set against $23,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Carthage College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $41,923 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #23 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Kenyon College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $18,114. Early-career general physics graduates make about $37,976. Set against $18,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General Physics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general physics value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
