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2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 23 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 23 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 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 UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Physics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at U-M

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Physics Report

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Purdue

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Physics Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IU Bloomington Physics Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis 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 IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Physics Report

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State 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 with aid 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 are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Michigan State

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State Physics Report

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northern Illinois University 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students with aid list, NIU has also earned the #18 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Physics at Northern Illinois University

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Northwestern University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Physics at Northwestern

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUC Physics Report

#13

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Full WMU Physics Report

#14

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students with aid list, Wayne State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Wayne State

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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 more about Physics at Central Michigan

#14 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 12 doctorate’s physics degrees 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 are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Kent State University at Kent

#18

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physics 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 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 Chicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Physics Report

#19

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame 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 Getting Aid ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students with aid list, Notre Dame has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at University of Notre Dame

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’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.

Read full report on Physics at Illinois Institute of Technology

#16 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus 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 Getting Aid ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus 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 also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#20 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. 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 UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#11 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Case Western Reserve University 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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