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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

13 Ranked Colleges
492 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Illinois, there were 492 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,100 and $21,278 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 13 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 13 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 26 students 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 Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $6,452 for illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 97%.

Read more about Physics at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k 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 ’s physics degrees to 103 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 more about Physics at UChicago

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 #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 121 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $13,351 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Physics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $13,705 for illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read more about Physics at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,683 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The 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 UIC Physics Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, SIUC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,985 for illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physics at SIUC

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,346 for illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NIU.

Full Northern Illinois University Physics Report

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $19,080 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State University Physics Report

#9

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, WIU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $15,912 for illinois physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WIU Physics Report

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Illinois Institute of Technology is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $22,542 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Physics at Illinois Tech

#11

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. DePaul University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 9 ’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also made our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $28,075 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at DePaul

#12

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Loyola Chicago is $32,259 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at Loyola Chicago

#13

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physics Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $31,071 for Illinois Physics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Columbia.

Full Columbia Physics Report

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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