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2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

44 Ranked Colleges
1,760 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 13,674 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 68th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $42,960 and had an average of $22,756 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,760 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,251 and $23,230 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in physics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physics programs, but they also cost less that 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.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 102 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,777 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UChicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $917 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Northwestern University Physics Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physics Report

4

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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Physics Report

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Purdue

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 106 students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UIUC Physics Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools 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 40 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Physics Report

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 114 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus is $8,581 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physics at Ohio State

9
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Beloit also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Beloit is $8,873 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Beloit College Physics Report

10
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $9,136 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Physics at University of Notre Dame

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,216 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IUPUI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Physics Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,658 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

13

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $10,075 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UW - La Crosse Physics Report

14

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at University of Illinois at Chicago

15

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $9,478 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at UW - River Falls

16
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. PFW is a public institution located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne is $8,427 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at PFW

17
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Ball State

18
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 78 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,170 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State University Physics Report

19

University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,022 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - Parkside Physics Report

20

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Tech is $21,101 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Physics at Illinois Institute of Technology

21

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UW - Stevens Point Physics Report

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 24 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,414 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at Wayne State University

23
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $15,552 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physics at Western Michigan University

24

Illinois State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Physics at Illinois State

25

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 3 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physics at UW - Whitewater

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