2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 69 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Indiana State University earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,081. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $23,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,482 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. That is a strong return on a $22,482 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Southeast one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,990 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $77,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,902. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,322. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Michigan Technological University placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Stark State College landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Chicago ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,091. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University came in at #11 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $21,590 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,597 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $73,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,597 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,537 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Western Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $31,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,568 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $55,109. Set against $19,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #16 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
North Central Michigan College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,398 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,952. That is a strong return on a $12,398 median debt.
Lake Superior State University placed #18 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #20 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,560. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $66,955. That is a strong return on a $20,560 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $62,196. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $48,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,292. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $54,428 early in their careers. Set against $26,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,346 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $43,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,346 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 ranked schools only.
- 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.
