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2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

23 Ranked Colleges
294 Degrees Awarded
$33,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 14,123 people earned their degree in physics, making the major the 67th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $42,475 and had an average of $22,421 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,820 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,980 and $21,326 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 294 physics graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in physics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Physics Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 23 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 23 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at University of Chicago

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 39 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physics Report

#5 in overall quality

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Physics at UW - Madison

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 14 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Purdue

#6

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at University of Notre Dame

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read more about Physics at UIUC

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Ohio State

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 7 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at IU Bloomington

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Physics Report

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Physics at Northern Illinois University

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physics students whose families make $48-$75k list, SIUC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Physics Report

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Wayne State University

#15

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physics at Michigan State University

#10 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Tech, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Physics Report

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physics at Central Michigan University

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355.

Read more about Physics at WMU

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 12 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physics at Kent State

#20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#22 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Read more about Physics at UWM

#11 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 5 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #11 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Case Western

#16 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Athens, Ohio, this large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OHIO Athens, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#20 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physics Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 4 doctorate’s physics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Physics Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physics at UC

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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