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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Physical Sciences in Illinois

48 Ranked Colleges
1,688 Degrees Awarded
$29,700 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” ranking.

Physical Sciences is the 19th most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, physical sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $39,880 and had an average of $22,620 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,688 physical sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,248 and $22,291 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” ranking looked at 48 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in physical sciences. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in physical sciences.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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.

Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois”.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 375 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at UIUC

2
UChicago crest
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 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 317 diplomas to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full University of Chicago Physical Sciences Report

3
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Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 48 schools in the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 146 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

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. 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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University Physical Sciences Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 103 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at UIC

5

Out of the 48 schools in the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.

Full NIU Physical Sciences Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Illinois State University

7

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 53 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.

Full Illinois Tech Physical Sciences Report

8

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #8. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Western Illinois University

9
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #9. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Loyola Chicago

10
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Lewis University
Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #10. Lewis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Romeoville, Illinois. It awarded 43 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Lewis University

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s physical sciences degrees to qualified students.

Full SIUC Physical Sciences Report

13
Wheaton College Illinois crest
Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Physical Sciences Report

13

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #13. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University

15
Bradley crest
Bradley University
Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. Bradley University is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 21 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Bradley University

16
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Physical Sciences at DePaul University

17
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Monmouth College
Monmouth, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Monmouth College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Monmouth, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Monmouth College Physical Sciences Report

18
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at EIU

18
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Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Physical Sciences at Olivet Nazarene

20
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Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Knox College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Knox is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 16 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Knox College

20
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Augustana College
Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Augustana College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Augustana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Augustana Physical Sciences Report

22
Elmhurst crest
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s physical sciences students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Elmhurst Physical Sciences Report

22
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois ranking. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at North Central

24
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Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Lake Forest College is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Full Lake Forest College Physical Sciences Report

24
SXU crest
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s physical sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Saint Xavier University Physical Sciences Report

24
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Greenville University
Greenville, Illinois

Greenville University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Physical Sciences Major in Illinois list. Greenville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s physical sciences degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%. 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.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Greenville

Notes and References

References

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