2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for general physics. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $30,203. Set against $21,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for general physics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $74,302. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $77,211. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College earned the #6 position for value in general physics this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,349. General Physics graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.

7

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls placed #7 among the best values for general physics. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. General Physics graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $62,196. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

8

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,687 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,123. That is a strong return on a $25,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $20,500. Early-career general physics graduates make about $36,878. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

10

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #10 spot for general physics value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #11 spot for general physics value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #12 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

13

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,357 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $82,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,357 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

14

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,838. General Physics graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

15

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

16

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #16 for value in general physics this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #17 spot for general physics value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $44,776. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

18

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #18 position for value in general physics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $56,792 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. General Physics graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

20

Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College came in at #20 for value in general physics this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $41,923 early in their careers. Set against $25,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

21

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #21 spot for general physics value this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame placed #22 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $21,500. Early-career general physics graduates make about $69,494. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

23

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #23 among the best values for general physics. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,704. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,857. Early-career general physics graduates make about $50,808. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.

24

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #24 among the best values for general physics. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $58,568. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

25

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University placed #25 among the best values for general physics. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. General Physics graduates carry a median of $25,292 in student loans. General Physics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.