2026 Best Value Engineering Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

For return on investment in engineering physics, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for engineering physics. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $20,136 in student loans. Engineering Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $64,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,136 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

3

Lansing Community College
Lansing, MI

A rank of #3 makes Lansing Community College one of the best values for engineering physics. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.

4

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering physics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Engineering Physics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $68,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

5

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Students looking for strong value in engineering physics will find it at Augustana College Illinois, which ranked #5. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, engineering physics degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $54,165. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in engineering physics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for engineering physics graduates is $22,053. Early-career engineering physics graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.