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Best Schools for Physical Sciences in Illinois
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
No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for physical sciences. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 138 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $90,302. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
Get the full physical sciences details for Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for physical sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 296 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Chicago
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences 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. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857.
Get the full physical sciences details for Illinois Wesleyan University
Bradley University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $54,513 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380.
Get the full physical sciences details for Bradley University
Illinois Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical sciences, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 35 physical sciences degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $71,315 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Illinois Institute Of Technology
Loyola University Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $58,568 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University came in at #7 for physical sciences 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. Illinois State University awarded about 71 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Typical student debt for the program is $24,875.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Illinois State University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 343 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign 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. Typical student debt for the program is $21,597.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Lewis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 28 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,781.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Lewis University
Eastern Illinois University earned the #10 position for physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 20 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $43,603 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293.
Get the full physical sciences details for Eastern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #11 position for physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $46,659. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best physical sciences 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 129 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,280 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,482 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Northern Illinois University placed #13 among the best physical sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $43,061 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,537 in student loans.
See the full physical sciences program report for Northern Illinois University
Columbia College Chicago placed #14 among the best physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical sciences program make about $29,160 in their early career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,557 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical sciences from Columbia College Chicago
Western Illinois University landed the #15 spot for physical sciences this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 40 physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical sciences degree from Western Illinois University earn around $31,980 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the physical sciences program at Western Illinois University
