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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges in the United States
$20,202 Avg Student Debt
$76,816 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Physics Badge [General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.

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2027 Best Value General Physics Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Physics Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,115. Early-career general physics graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics 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%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for general physics. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,211. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

4
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the best values for general physics. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.

6

Northwestern University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general physics schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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