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2023 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

43 Ranked Colleges
6,421 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 43 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 146 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

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 is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Northwestern University

2
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 #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 317 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $8,375 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UChicago

3

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 347 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $10,481 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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
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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 274 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Purdue has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Purdue

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Wisconsin - 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $10,364 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Physical Sciences Report

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 375 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

7

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 154 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $12,369 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at IU Bloomington

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 310 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State.

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 more about Physical Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

9
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Beloit, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

Beloit also took the #17 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Beloit is $10,850 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Beloit College

10
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

With a ranking of #10, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Notre Dame

11

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 103 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,105 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago

12

With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,306 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IUPUI.

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

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - La Crosse is a fairly large public school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 50 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - La Crosse also took the #24 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UW - La Crosse

14

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $14,737 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SIUE is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $12,950 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at SIUE

16
Jackson College crest
Jackson College
Jackson, Michigan

With a ranking of #16, Jackson College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Jackson College is a small public school situated in Jackson, Michigan. It awarded 25 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Jackson College is $12,753 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on Physical Sciences at Jackson College

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 $48-$75k list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 33 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $14,528 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 UW - River Falls

18
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $15,158 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full Ball State University Physical Sciences Report

19

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 53 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Illinois Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Tech is $22,339 for Great Lakes Region Physical Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, 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 87%.

Full Illinois Tech Physical Sciences Report

20
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 128 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $13,612 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Wayne State

21
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #21, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 233 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $20,557 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Michigan State University

22

With a ranking of #22, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WIU is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,794 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Physical Sciences Report

23

With a ranking of #23, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $14,226 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UW - Whitewater Physical Sciences Report

24

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,606 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at BGSU

25
Valpo crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana

With a ranking of #25, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Valparaiso University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Valparaiso, Indiana. It awarded 46 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Valpo is $21,256 for great lakes region physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Valparaiso University

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