by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 18 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Physical Sciences Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,168 master's degrees in physical sciences to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
Your choice of physical sciences for getting your master's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master'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 full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for physical sciences students working on their master'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 Physical Sciences Master'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 physical sciences students seeking a a master's degree.
University of Wisconsin - Madison is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in physical sciences. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in physical sciences. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
It's difficult to beat Ohio State University - Main Campus if you want to pursue a master's degree in physical sciences. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus
It is hard to beat University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign if you wish to pursue a master's degree in physical sciences. UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Michigan State is a very large public university located in the city of East Lansing.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Michigan State University
Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Indiana University - Bloomington
Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Purdue University - Main Campus
Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Miami University - Oxford
Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Ohio University - Athens Campus
Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.More information about a master’s in physical sciences from Loyola University Chicago
Explore the best physical sciences colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 588 |
| Physics | 294 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 184 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 44 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 35 |
| Materials Sciences | 14 |
| General Physical Sciences | 9 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Engineering | 8,214 |
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 3,036 |
| Mathematics & Statistics | 2,194 |
| Engineering Technologies | 1,710 |
| Architecture & Related Services | 835 |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | 645 |
| Agriculture & Agriculture Operations | 425 |
| Science Technologies / Technicians | 15 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 10 |
