2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for physics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physics Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among physics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Physics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for physics. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for physics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Physics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $74,302. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Physics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for physics. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,500. Early-career physics graduates make about $77,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Physics graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $30,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #8 among the best values for physics. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $25,687. Physics graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #9 for value in physics this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $26,292 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $54,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the best values for physics. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $36,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $23,357. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #12 position for value in physics this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $49,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #13 for value in physics this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $55,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Toledo landed the #14 spot for physics value this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #15 position for value in physics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $56,792 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for physics value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,736. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Beloit College came in at #17 for value in physics this year. Located in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,886. Students borrow a median of $25,998 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $33,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Beloit College admits about 63% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster earned the #18 position for value in physics this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Physics graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Physics graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Physics graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #20 position for value in physics this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $21,500. Early-career physics graduates make about $69,494. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Carthage College landed the #21 spot for physics value this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Students borrow a median of $25,708 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $41,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Columbia College Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,557 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. That is a strong return on a $26,557 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwestern University landed the #24 spot for physics value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Physics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Kenyon College earned the #25 position for value in physics this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Students from in state pay about $71,520 in tuition and fees. Physics graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Physics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physics this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
