2026 Best Physics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in physics. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 physics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full physics details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $69,494. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Notre Dame

4

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 physics students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. 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. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for physics this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $36,878 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago landed the #7 spot for physics this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 physics degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Loyola University Chicago

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $74,302 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Get the full physics details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #9 for physics this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Illinois State University

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for physics this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 107 physics degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $82,495. Students borrow a median of $23,357 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Ohio State University Main Campus

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #11 for physics this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 83 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $77,211 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best physics schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree. Read more about the physics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

13

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 physics degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Lewis University

14

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #14 position for physics this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Oberlin College awarded about 11 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $25,146 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Oberlin College

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 27 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,687. Read more about the physics program at Indiana University Bloomington

16

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #16 for physics this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. More information about a degree in physics from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

17

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #17 for physics this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 93 physics degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $30,203 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Purdue University Main Campus

18

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #18 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 16 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $49,911. Typical student debt for the program is $22,574. Read more about the physics program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

19

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #19 among the best physics schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 22 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

20

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn around $62,196 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Wisconsin River Falls

21

Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College came in at #21 for physics this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 physics students who graduated with this degree at Carthage College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $41,923 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,708 to complete this degree. See the full physics program report for Carthage College

22

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 27 physics degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $44,776 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,174. Read more about the physics program at Kent State University At Kent

23

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University placed #23 among the best physics schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 28 physics degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,292. Read more about the physics program at Case Western Reserve University

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 51 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,557. See the full physics program report for Columbia College Chicago

25

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #25 among the best physics schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 95 physics degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Physics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $56,792 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physics from Michigan State University