2023 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
44
Ranked Colleges
1,760
Degrees Awarded
$8,400
Avg Net Price*
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 Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Physics is the 68th most popular major in the country with 13,674 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $42,960 and had an average of $22,756 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,760 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,251 and $23,230 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in physics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physics program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Physics Schools
The physics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
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 Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 102 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,500 for great lakes region 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UChicago Physics Report
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value 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. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physics degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $245 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Northwestern University Physics Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 118 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 144 ’s degrees 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 Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at UW - Madison
Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 106 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Physics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 78 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Physics at Purdue University - Main Campus
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physics at IU Bloomington
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 114 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
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 more about Physics at Ohio State
With a ranking of #9, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 78 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Michigan State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Michigan State Physics Report
With a ranking of #10, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 59 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,872 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Notre Dame.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full University of Notre Dame Physics Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s physics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $7,026 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Physics at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value 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 physics degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $7,517 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Physics at UW - La Crosse
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $9,547 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Physics at UW - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $8,438 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
With a ranking of #15, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,273 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.
Read full report on Physics at Ball State University
Beloit College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Beloit is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Beloit, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,970 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Beloit College.
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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Beloit Physics Report
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 26 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,549 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
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%.
Read more about Physics at UIC
With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Parkside is a small public school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,741 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Parkside.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.
Read full report on Physics at University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a medium-sized public school situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It awarded 10 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,414 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend PFW.
Read more about Physics at PFW
With a ranking of #20, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 15 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Institute of Technology is $18,515 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%. 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.
Read full report on Physics at Illinois Tech
With a ranking of #21, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 16 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Physics at Miami University - Oxford
Western Michigan University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $13,112 for great lakes region physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Physics at Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 15 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
K College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K College is $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 Physics at Kalamazoo College
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s physics degrees to qualified students.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC is $15,061 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Physics Report
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 3 ’s physics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $7,903 for Great Lakes Region Physics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Physics at UW - Stevens Point
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