2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat Indiana State University this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,081. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,952. Set against $23,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

2

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,482. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $22,482 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,568 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $54,501. That is a strong return on a $19,568 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

5

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $27,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $31,980 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $25,000. Physical Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $46,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,990. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $77,165. That is a strong return on a $20,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

9

Stark State College
North Canton, OH

Stark State College earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

North Central Michigan College
Petoskey, MI

North Central Michigan College landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,398. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,537 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $43,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,537 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

12

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

13

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.

14

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #15 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,597 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $72,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

16

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #16 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,560 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $66,955 early in their careers. Set against $20,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,910. That is a strong return on a $22,429 median debt.

18

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #18 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #19 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $30,000. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $62,196. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,803. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $63,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

21

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #21 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,292 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $54,428 early in their careers. Set against $26,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

22

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University placed #22 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,590 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,596. Set against $21,590 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

23

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #24 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

25

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $24,744 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $48,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.