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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,016 Degrees Awarded
$30,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 52,879 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,122 and had an average of $22,339 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,853 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,984 and $22,875 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,016 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physical sciences programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 28 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 84 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Physical Sciences Report

#2

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Loyola University Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Loyola Chicago

#2

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #2 spot on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physical sciences students list, NIU has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NIU

#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Akron Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 88 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Athens, Ohio, this large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 96 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Full UIUC Physical Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 22 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Kent State University at Kent

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Sciences Report

#20 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 14 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Physical Sciences Report

#10

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physical sciences students list, Cleveland State University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cleveland State University Physical Sciences Report

#11

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Central Michigan University Physical Sciences Report

#12

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #12. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at WMU

#18 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UC

#14

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Physical Sciences Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IUPUI Physical Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois Institute of Technology is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 10 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Illinois Institute of Technology

#17

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Oakland

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 65 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Michigan State University

#13 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Miami University - Oxford Physical Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 8 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full SIUC Physical Sciences Report

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Full Wayne State Physical Sciences Report

#22

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 118 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physical Sciences Report

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Wright State University - Main Campus is located in Dayton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

#12 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 17 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Case Western

#24

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 53 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Full Northwestern Physical Sciences Report

#25

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Physical Sciences Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

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