DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Natural & Applied Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
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)" ACCEPTED (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)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 3 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 3
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
Best Schools for Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Physical Sciences
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for physical sciences. 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 138 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Northwestern University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. 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 296 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $81,002 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Chicago
Marquette University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #3. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Marquette University earn around $60,443 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Marquette University
Michigan Technological University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 72 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $64,652 in their early career. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Michigan Technological University
Students looking for a strong physical sciences program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 100 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $84,652. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Notre Dame
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #6 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Illinois Wesleyan University
Bradley University landed the #7 spot for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. Bradley University awarded about 14 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Bradley University
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #8 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 physical sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $76,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Detroit Mercy
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. 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 388 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $63,995 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $23,803 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Wisconsin Madison
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $71,315 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 364 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $77,165 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,990 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Loyola University Chicago placed #12 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 30 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Physical Sciences 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.
Get the full physical sciences details for Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University placed #13 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 71 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $49,660 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for Illinois State University
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 153 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $66,955 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,560 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #15 position for physical sciences this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 343 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $72,225 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,597 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Lewis University placed #16 among the best physical sciences schools. 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. Lewis University awarded about 28 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Lewis University earn around $55,718 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,781.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Lewis University
Lawrence University placed #17 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence University in the most recent data year. Lawrence University graduates carry a median of $15,699 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Lawrence University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the best physical sciences schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 111 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $47,387 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Miami University Oxford landed the #19 spot for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 99 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $38,478 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,862 to complete this degree.
See the full physical sciences program report for Miami University Oxford
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #20 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 338 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $54,501. Students borrow a median of $19,568 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical sciences details for Purdue University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #21 for physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 306 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,743 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,568.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Ohio State University Main Campus
Oberlin College placed #22 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 30 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Oberlin College
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #23 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences 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.
Read more about the physical sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Eastern Illinois University placed #24 among the best physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 20 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $43,603. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #25 position for physical sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $46,659 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences ranking:
Narrow Physical Sciences Schools by State
