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2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

44 Ranked Colleges
1,760 Degrees Awarded
$15,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Physics is the 68th most popular major in the country with 13,674 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 44 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.

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

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 144 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - Madison Physics Report

2

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools 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 #2 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 106 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $14,321 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

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%.

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

3

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,878 for great lakes region physics students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full U-M Physics Report

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

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%.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Physics Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 40 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 91%.

Read full report on Physics at IU Bloomington

6

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at UW - Eau Claire

7

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students with aid list, Ohio State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,845 for great lakes region physics students with aid per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, 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 94%.

Full Ohio State Physics Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

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

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 78 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $19,058 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%.

Full Michigan State Physics Report

10

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 IUPUI

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $14,654 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UW - La Crosse Physics Report

12
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 47 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $23,279 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University Physics Report

13

University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at UW - River Falls

14

University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Parkside is $11,082 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physics at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

14
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $14,765 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

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

16
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. PFW is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 10 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Fort Wayne is $11,629 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne Physics Report

17

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 3 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

Read more about Physics at UW - Stevens Point

18
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 20 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Western Michigan University

19

With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Physics Report

20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UWM is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

Read more about Physics at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

21

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 26 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physics at UC

22

Western Illinois University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $15,305 for great lakes region physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Western Illinois University

23

With a ranking of #23, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 7 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $15,962 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Wright State University - Main Campus

24
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 24 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

Full Wayne State Physics Report

25

Cleveland State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Cleveland State University is $16,943 for Great Lakes Region Physics students with aid.

Read full report on Physics at Cleveland State University

Notes and References

References

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