by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physics Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 300 doctor's degrees in physics during the 2021-2022 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The physics doctor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their doctor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. That is, everyone wants their doctor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for physics students working on their doctor's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Physics Doctor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for physics students seeking a a doctor's degree.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a good decision for students interested in a doctor's degree in physics. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population.
Students who graduate with their doctorate from the physics program report average early career earnings of $95,584.
More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Every student who is interested in a doctor's degree in physics needs to look into University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame.More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Notre Dame
Ohio State University - Main Campus is a wonderful option for individuals interested in a doctor's degree in physics. Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population.
Physics doctor's degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus earn a boost of approximately $13,822 above the typical earnings of physics majors.
More information about a doctorate in physics from Ohio State University - Main Campus
University of Wisconsin - Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a doctor's degree in physics. UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison.More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Wisconsin - Madison
UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign.
Doctorate recipients from the physics degree program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earn $5,739 more than the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michigan State is a very large public university located in the small city of East Lansing.
Doctorate students who receive their degree from the physics program earn around $80,184 for their early career.
More information about a doctorate in physics from Michigan State University
Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in physics from Indiana University - Bloomington
Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in physics from Purdue University - Main Campus
Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in physics from Kent State University at Kent
Located in the large city of Detroit, Wayne State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a doctorate in physics from Wayne State University
Explore the best physics colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
Physics is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Physics | 286 |
| Other Physics | 9 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 3 |
| Optics/Optical Sciences | 2 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 661 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 72 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 38 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 27 |
| Materials Sciences | 18 |
| General Physical Sciences | 3 |
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