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2027 Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

28 Colleges in the United States
1,238 Physics Degrees Awarded
$53,300 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physics programs.

College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physics schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physics in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physics

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in physics. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 40 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 126 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 53 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for University Of Notre Dame

4
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

A rank of #4 makes Denison University one of the top schools for physics. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Denison University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at Denison University

5

Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 11 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Wheaton College Illinois

6
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College came in at #6 for physics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 16 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $37,976 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,114. Read more about the physics program at Kenyon College

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for physics this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 102 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $36,878. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $74,302. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $61,829 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for physics this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 115 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,211. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 106 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. Students borrow a median of $23,357 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Ohio State University Main Campus

12

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for physics this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 25 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Ohio University Main Campus

13
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #13 position for physics this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 physics degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. More information about a degree in physics from Oberlin College

14

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 25 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $58,659 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #15 position for physics this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 92 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $30,203 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Purdue University Main Campus

16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #16 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 physics degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $56,930 in their early career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

17

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 physics students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,687. See the full physics program report for Indiana University Bloomington

18

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #18 position for physics this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $54,428. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

19

University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 27 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for University Of Toledo

20
Beloit College crest
Beloit College
Beloit, WI

Beloit College came in at #20 for physics this year. Located in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 physics students who graduated with this degree at Beloit College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Beloit College earn around $33,499 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,998. Get the full physics details for Beloit College

21
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College placed #21 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 physics students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $41,923 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,708 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Carthage College

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #22 spot for physics this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 15 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

The College Of Wooster came in at #23 for physics this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The College Of Wooster awarded about 10 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $32,382 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from The College Of Wooster

24
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #24 position for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 physics students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from Lewis University

25

Case Western Reserve University came in at #25 for physics this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 32 physics degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physics program make about $74,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,292. Get the full physics details for Case Western Reserve University

Rest of the Top 28 Physics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physics education:

26
27
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28

View All Physics Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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