2026 Best General Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general physics. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full general physics program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 107 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 44 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Notre Dame

4

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $50,808 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for Illinois Wesleyan University

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general physics, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. See the full general physics program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for general physics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 112 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $36,878 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $74,302 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

8

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #8 for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 15 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896. See the full general physics program report for Illinois State University

9

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 106 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. Typical student debt for the program is $23,357. Get the full general physics details for Ohio State University Main Campus

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot for general physics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 83 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $77,211 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

11

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general physics this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 23 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $58,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. Read more about the general physics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

12

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #12 position for general physics this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Lewis University awarded about 11 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Typical student debt for the program is $24,838. Get the full general physics details for Lewis University

13

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Oberlin College graduates 81% of students within six years. Oberlin College awarded about 11 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Read more about the general physics program at Oberlin College

14

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best general physics schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,687. More information about a degree in general physics from Indiana University Bloomington

15

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #15 among the best general physics schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 11 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,161. Get the full general physics details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

16

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 93 general physics degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Physics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $30,203 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,948. More information about a degree in general physics from Purdue University Main Campus

17

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. About 16 general physics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. See the full general physics program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

18

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #18 for general physics this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 22 general physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,657. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

19

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #19 position for general physics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of River Falls. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin River Falls awarded about 14 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $62,196. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general physics from University Of Wisconsin River Falls

20

Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College came in at #20 for general physics this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Carthage College earn around $41,923 in the first couple years of their career. Carthage College graduates carry a median of $25,708 in student loans. Get the full general physics details for Carthage College

21

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general physics schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Kent State University At Kent

22

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #22 for general physics this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general physics degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $74,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,292 to complete this degree. See the full general physics program report for Case Western Reserve University

23

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #23 position for general physics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 general physics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general physics degree from Michigan State University earn around $56,792 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general physics from Michigan State University

24

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #24 position for general physics this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 general physics students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general physics program make about $55,469 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete this degree. Read more about the general physics program at Wayne State University

25

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College earned the #25 position for general physics this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Stark State College awarded about 12 general physics degrees in the most recent data year. General Physics graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete this degree. Get the full general physics details for Stark State College