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2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

43 Ranked Colleges
6,421 Degrees Awarded
$9,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 50,306 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,421 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,323 and $23,308 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in physical sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physical sciences programs, but they also 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 physical sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 317 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $4,777 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 146 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Northwestern Physical Sciences Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 347 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 401 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 274 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,853 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue Physical Sciences Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 375 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,036 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Ohio State

9

With a ranking of #9, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 79 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 full report on Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

10
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Beloit College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Beloit did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Beloit is $8,873 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Beloit Physical Sciences Report

11
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Notre Dame is $9,136 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Notre Dame

12

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,825 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Full SIUE Physical Sciences Report

13

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $10,075 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 86%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UW - La Crosse

14

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,351 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Sciences Report

15
Jackson College crest
Jackson College
Jackson, Michigan

Jackson College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Jackson College is a small school located in Jackson, Michigan that handed out 25 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,719 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Jackson College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Jackson College

16

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 70 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $10,658 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UW - Eau Claire

17

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 33 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $9,478 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UW - River Falls Physical Sciences Report

18
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Ball State

19
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #19, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 233 students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $15,170 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State Physical Sciences Report

20

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Tech is $21,101 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Tech

21
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 128 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,414 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Wayne State University

22
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 79 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, WMU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $15,552 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at WMU

23

Illinois State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 70 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois State University

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,390 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Full UW - Whitewater Physical Sciences Report

25
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana State University is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 20 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State University is $10,911 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Indiana State Physical Sciences Report

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