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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

23 Ranked Colleges
294 Degrees Awarded
$33,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Physics is the 67th most popular major in the country with 14,123 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $42,475 and had an average of $22,421 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,820 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,980 and $21,326 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 294 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 23 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Full Northwestern University Physics Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 23 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Physics Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physics Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Physics at UW - Madison

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UIUC

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 26 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Physics Report

#7

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Physics at Notre Dame

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 24 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Physics Report

#9

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Purdue

#10

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Physics at IU Bloomington

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Physics Report

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at NIU

#14

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at WMU

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Central Michigan University

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Wayne State University

#14 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Kent State also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Kent State University at Kent

#19

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#22 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UWM has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295.

Read more about Physics at UWM

#10 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695.

Read full report on Physics at Illinois Institute of Technology

#11 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Case Western has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Full Case Western Physics Report

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Athens, Ohio, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Physics Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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