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2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

29 Ranked Colleges
1,016 Degrees Awarded
$32,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,016 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great physical sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences 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.

Full Northwestern University Physical Sciences Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences 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 UChicago are $61,548.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UChicago

#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 #3 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 84 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Physical Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 118 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 88 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#6

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Notre Dame Physical Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 96 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#7 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

#23 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #23 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Physical Sciences Report

#12

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oakland is a public institution located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’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.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Oakland University

#19 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SIUC Physical Sciences Report

#14

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Michigan State

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Physical Sciences 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.

Full NIU Physical Sciences Report

#16

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#20 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UWM has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Physical Sciences Report

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 23 degrees to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wayne State University Physical Sciences Report

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Western Michigan University

#13 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Miami University - Oxford Physical Sciences Report

#20

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 4 doctorate’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.

Full Central Michigan University Physical Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Physical Sciences 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 Kent State are $21,952.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Kent State University at Kent

#12 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #12 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Case Western Reserve University

#10 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Tech are $30,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Tech

#21 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 29 doctorate’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

#25

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#25 in overall quality

Cleveland State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State University also made our “Best Physical Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cleveland State University Physical Sciences Report

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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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

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