College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Most Focused Colleges for Physical Sciences in Illinois

48 Ranked Colleges
$28,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois

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 “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,473 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $40,118 and had an average of $21,983 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,660 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,248 and $22,076 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” ranking looked at 48 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in physical sciences.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Physical Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois physical sciences students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Physical Sciences in Illinois

1
Monmouth crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Monmouth College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Monmouth, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Monmouth Physical Sciences Report

2
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Knox College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Knox is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Knox

3
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 361 students in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UChicago

4
Greenville crest
Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Greenville University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Located in Greenville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Greenville University

5
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Wheaton College Illinois landed the #5 spot on the list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 30 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Wheaton College Illinois

6
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Lake Forest Physical Sciences Report

7

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #7 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 52 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Illinois Institute of Technology

8

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 342 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UIUC

9

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at WIU

10
Lewis crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Lewis University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 30 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.

Full Lewis University Physical Sciences Report

11
Illinois Wesleyan crest
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #11. Bloomington, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois Wesleyan University

12
Blackburn crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Carlinville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Blackburn College Physical Sciences Report

13
Millikin crest
Millikin University
Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Millikin University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Millikin is located in Decatur, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 7 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin University Physical Sciences Report

14
CSU crest
Chicago State University
Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Chicago State University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 9 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at CSU

15
Augustana crest
Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Augustana College Physical Sciences Report

16
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. North Central is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Central College Physical Sciences Report

17

Northern Illinois University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 87 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at NIU

18
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 123 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.1% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Northwestern University Physical Sciences Report

19

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 36 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University

20
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Elmhurst University is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Elmhurst University

21
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Illinois College is a small school located in Jacksonville, Illinois that handed out 6 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois College

22

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 48 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Physical Sciences Report

23
Olivet Nazarene crest
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Bourbonnais, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Olivet Nazarene

24
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #24. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Bradley

25
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Saint Xavier University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 SXU

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options