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2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 294 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

The physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 23 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) 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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Northwestern

#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 $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at U-M

#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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 17 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Physics at University of Notre Dame

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #6, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 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 Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue Physics Report

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

Read more about Physics at Ohio State University - Main Campus

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

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

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 7 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. 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 Indiana University - Bloomington

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at IUPUI

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 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 $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Physics Report

#12

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 24 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 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 Michigan State are $37,056.

Read full report on Physics at Michigan State University

#13

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NIU Physics Report

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 more about Physics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read full report on Physics at Wayne State University

#16

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Western Michigan University

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan 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.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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

#14 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #14 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 Kent State are $21,952.

Read more about Physics at Kent State

#19

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#22 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UWM

#11 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Case Western, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Case Western

#10 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 Tech are $30,695.

Read full report on Physics at Illinois Tech

#20 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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

#16 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 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 OHIO Athens are $17,712.

Full OHIO Athens 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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