2026 Best Physics Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 physics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full physics program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physics, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the physics program at University Of Chicago

3

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois Wesleyan University awarded about 13 physics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. Get the full physics details for Illinois Wesleyan University

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. 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. About 26 physics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Typical student debt for the program is $20,115. See the full physics program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physics schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Physics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full physics program report for Loyola University Chicago

6

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #6 for physics this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 physics degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physics degree from Illinois State University earn around $49,660 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896. See the full physics program report for Illinois State University

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best physics schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 83 physics degrees 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #8 for physics this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 physics students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physics program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Read more about the physics program at Lewis University

9

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago came in at #9 for physics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 physics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physics degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $29,160 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,557. Get the full physics details for Columbia College Chicago