DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/physics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 40.08), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Physics Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in physics in Illinois. 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. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,115. Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for physics. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for physics graduates is $20,500. Physics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $77,211 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in physics will find it at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the physics program here. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Lewis University one of the best values for physics. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Early-career physics graduates make about $55,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #5 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for physics. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the physics program here. Early-career physics graduates make about $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Columbia College Chicago landed the #6 spot for physics value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,557 in student loans. Physics graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,557 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physics schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the physics program here. Physics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Illinois Wesleyan University placed #8 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,704. Physics graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $50,808. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #9 among the best values for physics. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Physics graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
[Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physics education at a price that pays off.
