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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

43 Ranked Colleges
1,713 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Physics is the 60th most popular major in the country with 12,875 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,713 general physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in general physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general physics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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 General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Physics (Income $0-$30k) 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 General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 102 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,500 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. 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%.

Read full report on General Physics at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $245 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Northwestern General Physics 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 General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about General Physics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 144 degrees to qualified ’s general physics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,981 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 95%.

Read more about General Physics at UW - Madison

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 106 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign General Physics Report

6
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 78 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Physics at Purdue

7
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified ’s general physics students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,752 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Physics at IU Bloomington

8

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 113 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on General Physics at Ohio State

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s general physics students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.

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

Read more about General Physics at Michigan State University

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

University of Notre Dame ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s general physics students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,872 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Notre Dame.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 Notre Dame General Physics Report

11

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 7 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $7,026 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read more about General Physics at IUPUI

12

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $7,517 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Physics at UW - La Crosse

13

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,547 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Full UW - Eau Claire General Physics Report

14

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general physics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $8,438 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Physics at UW - River Falls

15
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 General Physics Report

16
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Beloit is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

Beloit did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $7,970 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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.

Full Beloit General Physics Report

17

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s general physics 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 General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $10,549 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 General Physics at UIC

18

University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,741 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Physics at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

19
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #19, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,414 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend PFW.

Full Purdue University Fort Wayne General Physics Report

20

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $18,515 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology General Physics Report

21

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Miami University - Oxford is located in Oxford, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s general physics degrees to qualified students.

Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Miami University - Oxford General Physics Report

22
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 20 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $13,112 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WMU General Physics Report

23
K College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #23, Kalamazoo College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 15 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

K College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,814 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kalamazoo College.

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%.

Full K College General Physics Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 26 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,061 for Great Lakes Region General Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Physics at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

25

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 3 ’s general physics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $7,903 for great lakes region general physics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Physics at UW - Stevens Point

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