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2027 Best Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

69 Colleges in the United States
5,559 Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$49,176 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Sciences

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for physical sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 121 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $90,302 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full physical sciences program report for Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 316 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Chicago

3

Bradley University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. Bradley University awarded about 13 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. Get the full physical sciences details for Bradley University

4

Illinois Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 50 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. More information about a degree in physical sciences from Illinois Institute Of Technology

5

Michigan Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #5. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 78 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $64,652 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. Get the full physical sciences details for Michigan Technological University

6
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 31 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Denison University graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Denison University

7

University Of Notre Dame placed #7 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 104 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $84,652 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Notre Dame

8

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #8 spot for physical sciences this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $76,755 in their early career. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Detroit Mercy

9

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #9 position for physical sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Students borrow a median of $23,292 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Wheaton College Illinois

10
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College came in at #10 for physical sciences this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 25 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Kenyon College

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #11 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 411 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $77,357 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,990. More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

12

Loyola University Chicago placed #12 among the best physical sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Loyola University Chicago

13
Saint Marys College crest
Saint Marys College
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Marys College earned the #13 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 17 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Saint Marys College generally make around $48,274. Saint Marys College graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Read more about the physical sciences program at Saint Marys College

14

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 394 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $65,362 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,803 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #15 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 372 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $73,425. Typical student debt for the program is $21,597. Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

16

Augustana College Illinois placed #16 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 15 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $39,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,764. Read more about the physical sciences program at Augustana College Illinois

17

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 444 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $69,754 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,568 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Ohio State University Main Campus

18

Indiana University Bloomington placed #18 among the best physical sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 158 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $66,955 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,560 to complete this degree. See the full physical sciences program report for Indiana University Bloomington

19

Saint Norbert College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of De Pere. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 18 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Saint Norbert College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $48,421 in their early career. Saint Norbert College graduates carry a median of $26,578 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Saint Norbert College

20
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 349 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $55,109. Typical student debt for the program is $19,568. Read more about the physical sciences program at Purdue University Main Campus

21

Miami University Oxford placed #21 among the best physical sciences schools. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 102 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,478 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $20,862 in student loans. Get the full physical sciences details for Miami University Oxford

22

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #22 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 104 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $47,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

23
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #23 for physical sciences this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 20 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $68,222 in their early career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Butler University

24
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Xavier University awarded about 13 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full physical sciences program report for Xavier University

25
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #25 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 28 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree. Get the full physical sciences details for Oberlin College

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for physical sciences this year:

26
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI
27
28
29
30
31
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
32
Franklin College crest
Franklin College
Franklin, IN
33
Beloit College crest
Beloit College
Beloit, WI
34
35
36
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
37
38
39
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
40
41
42
43
44
45
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 69 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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