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. Combined, these schools handed out 321 doctor's degrees in physics to qualified students.
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 include a school's overall Best Colleges for a Doctor's Degree ranking which itself looks at a host 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 wonderful option for individuals pursuing a doctor's degree in physics. Located in the 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 state that they receive average early career earnings of $95,584.
More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Any student pursuing a degree in a doctor's degree in physics has to check out University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Notre Dame.More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Notre Dame
Ohio State University - Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a doctor's degree in physics. Located in the 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 receive an earnings boost of around $13,822 over the typical income of physics graduates.
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 United States for getting a doctor's degree in physics. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison.More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Wisconsin - Madison
UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign.
Doctorate recipients from the physics program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get $5,739 more than the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a doctorate in physics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing.
Doctorate graduates who receive their degree from the physics program earn about $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 very 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 large suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a doctorate in physics from Kent State University at Kent
Located in the 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 | 308 |
| Other Physics | 12 |
| Atomic/Molecular Physics | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 581 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 69 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 47 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 22 |
| Materials Sciences | 19 |
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