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2027 Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

27 Colleges in the United States
1,163 General Physics Degrees Awarded
$54,194 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general physics programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general physics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Physics in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Physics

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in general physics. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 general physics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general physics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 126 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. About 53 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $69,494 in their early career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Notre Dame

4
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. See the full general physics program report for Denison University

5

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $43,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for Wheaton College Illinois

6
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College landed the #6 spot for general physics this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 16 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $37,976. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at Kenyon College

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best general physics schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 102 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $36,878 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for general physics this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $74,302. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for general physics this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 34 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $61,829 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #10 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 115 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $77,211 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general physics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 102 general physics degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $82,495 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at Ohio State University Main Campus

12

Ohio University Main Campus placed #12 among the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 25 general physics degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $49,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Ohio University Main Campus

13
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #13 among the best general physics schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 10 general physics degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. Get the full general physics details for Oberlin College

14

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #14 among the best general physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best general physics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 92 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $30,203 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Purdue University Main Campus

16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #16 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 general physics degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $56,930 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,146. See the full general physics program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

17

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,687 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Indiana University Bloomington

18

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #18 spot for general physics this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 11 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $54,428. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

19

University Of Toledo landed the #19 spot for general physics this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 27 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Toledo in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,923. See the full general physics program report for University Of Toledo

20
Beloit College crest
Beloit College
Beloit, WI

Beloit College came in at #20 for general physics this year. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Beloit College graduates 71% of students within six years. Beloit College awarded about 10 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Beloit College earn a median of $33,499 early in their careers. Beloit College graduates carry a median of $25,998 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from Beloit College

21
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College earned the #21 position for general physics this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $41,923 in their early career. Carthage College graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for Carthage College

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #22 among the best general physics schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 15 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

The College Of Wooster earned the #23 position for general physics this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. The College Of Wooster graduates 74% of students within six years. About 10 general physics degrees were awarded at The College Of Wooster in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from The College Of Wooster earn around $32,382 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at The College Of Wooster

24
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general physics schools. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. Lewis University awarded about 12 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at Lewis University

25

Case Western Reserve University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best general physics schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Typical student debt for the program is $25,292. Read more about the general physics program at Case Western Reserve University

Rest of the Top 27 General Physics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general physics education:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Narrow General Physics Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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