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2022 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

13 Ranked Colleges
1,704 Degrees Awarded
$15,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Illinois, there were 1,704 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,790 and $21,894 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 13 Best Value Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 124 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,995 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University Physical Sciences Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 280 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,800 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Chicago.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Chicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 450 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Physical Sciences at UIUC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 65 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUE has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $9,938 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read more about Physical Sciences at SIUE

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 80 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $11,185 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 87 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $15,861 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NIU

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 40 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for Illinois Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SIUC Physical Sciences Report

#8

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $14,526 for Illinois Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Illinois University Physical Sciences Report

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 77 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,999 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois State

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois Institute of Technology is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 53 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Tech, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,720 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Institute of Technology.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Institute of Technology

#11

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $27,397 for Illinois Physical Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Columbia College Chicago

#12

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $25,842 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend DePaul.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at DePaul

#13

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 43 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #5 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $29,788 for illinois physical sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Loyola Chicago

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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