2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 52,879 people earned their degree in physical sciences, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $38,122 and had an average of $22,339 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 6,853 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,984 and $22,875 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,019 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent physical sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 69 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Chicago are $61,548.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 90 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 U-M are $49,548.
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.
UW - Madison also took the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UIUC also took the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 57 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.
With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 18 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUE has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Edwardsville are $9,300.
Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Physical Sciences Report
Michigan State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Notre Dame are $57,522.
Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Notre Dame
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Ball State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ball State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Ball State are $26,204.
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 12 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago
With a ranking of #15, Oakland University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland University is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland University are $24,648.
Illinois State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 18 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Indiana State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.
Indiana State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State University are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Indiana State University
Western Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 23 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, WIU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’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 Western Illinois University are $11,996.
Central Michigan University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 14 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 16 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Northern Illinois University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northern Illinois University
Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 17 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 23 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois Tech has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Institute of Technology
Western Michigan University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 22 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Narrow Results by Region
Southeast
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
Rocky Mountains
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
Middle Atlantic
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
Southwest
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region
New England
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the New England Region
Plains States
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Far Western US
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
Great Lakes
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Narrow Results by State
Switch to a Similar Major
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Agriculture & Agriculture Operations (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Architecture & Related Services
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Architecture & Related Services (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Computer & Information Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Computer & Information Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Engineering Technologies
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Engineering Technologies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Mathematics & Statistics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Mathematics & Statistics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Natural Resources & Conservation
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Natural Resources & Conservation (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Communications Technologies & Support
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Communications Technologies & Support (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Engineering
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Biological & Biomedical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Science Technologies / Technicians
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Science Technologies / Technicians (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Switch to a More Focused Major
General Physical Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for General Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Geological & Earth Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Materials Sciences
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Materials Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Astronomy & Astrophysics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Chemistry
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Chemistry (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physics
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physics (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Best Physical Sciences Master's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students in the Great Lakes Region
Most Focused Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students in the Great Lakes Region
Most Popular Master's Degree Online Physical Sciences Schools
Physical Sciences students in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students with family income less than $30k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students with family income $48-$75k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income Over $110k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students with family income exceeding $110k in the Great Lakes Region
Highest Paid Master's Degree Physical Sciences Graduates in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students in the Great Lakes Region
Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
Physical Sciences students getting aid in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students with family income $30-$48k in the Great Lakes Region
Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
Physical Sciences students with family income $75-$110k in the Great Lakes Region
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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.
Featured Physical Sciences Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |
College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.