2027 Best Physics Schools in Illinois
Physics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physics schools.
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Best Schools for Physics in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physics education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Physics
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in physics. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 40 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physics from Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 126 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full physics program report for University Of Chicago
Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #3. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $43,654 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans.
See the full physics program report for Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 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. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 34 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $61,829 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115.
Get the full physics details for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Students looking for a strong physics program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 115 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data 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.
See the full physics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Lewis University earned the #6 position for physics this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. Lewis University awarded about 12 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838.
See the full physics program report for Lewis University
Columbia College Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 52% of students finish within six years. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 45 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,160. Students borrow a median of $26,557 to complete this degree.
Get the full physics details for Columbia College Chicago
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.
- 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.
