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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

36 Ranked Colleges
1,019 Degrees Awarded
$31,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master's 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality physical sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the physical sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Physical Sciences Schools

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Physical Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s 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. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 27 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 $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Physical Sciences Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s 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. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 69 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Physical Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 90 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 $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Physical Sciences Report

#4 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 Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 51 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UW - Madison

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Purdue University - Main Campus 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.

Purdue also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. 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.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

#7 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 45 diplomas to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. 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.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Physical Sciences Report

#7

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 19 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #5 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 University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Notre Dame

#13 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also took the #13 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 57 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #8 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Physical Sciences Report

#10

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree physical sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

#18 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Physical Sciences Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 9 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Physical Sciences Report

#13

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oakland 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 are $24,648.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Oakland University

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at SIUC

#15

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

Ball State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 14 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 $48-$75k 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 University are $26,204.

Full Ball State University Physical Sciences Report

#16

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 17 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Eastern Michigan

#17

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Western Illinois University

#18

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 18 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois State

#6 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 degrees to qualified masters’s physical sciences students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also took the #6 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Institute of Technology

#20

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NIU

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Wayne State

#22

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s physical sciences degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Indiana State also took the #0 spot in our “Best Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Indiana State

#23

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central 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 $48-$75k ranking. Central Michigan University is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 14 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Central Michigan University

#24

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State Physical Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 16 masters’s physical sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 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 Case Western are $47,958.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Case Western

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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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