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

31 Ranked Colleges
281 Degrees Awarded
$32,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 14,123 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 281 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 31 colleges that offer a degree in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 10 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern University Physics Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of Chicago

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 18 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at U-M

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 13 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Physics Master’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 UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Physics Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 14 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#6 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Ohio State

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 16 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at IU Bloomington

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 13 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue Physics Report

#9

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Notre Dame Physics Report

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Physics Report

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 2 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at IUPUI

#12

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#20 in overall quality

Ball State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 3 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Ball State

#17 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at UIC

#18 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physics Master’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

#15

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #15, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Oakland has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Oakland

#13 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physics Master’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 Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

Full Miami University - Oxford Physics Report

#17

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 9 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Physics Report

#18

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 4 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Michigan has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Physics Master’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

#19

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s physics students in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Illinois University Physics Report

#20

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan are $26,552, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Eastern Michigan University Physics Report

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 7 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wayne State University Physics Report

#22

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#25 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Physics Master’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 Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#23

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 5 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at WMU

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Tech, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois Tech Physics Report

#15 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 6 masters’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC 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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