Best colleges for Engineering Physics in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Chicago and Northwestern University award the most Engineering Physics degrees and certificates in Illinois: 90, 19 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Illinois colleges offer Engineering Physics and award 125 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Engineering Physics is a dynamic field that merges pure science with engineering principles, preparing students for innovative problem-solving in technology and research. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,304 | 90 | 85% | — | $20,136 |
| 2 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $54,165 | 2 | 73% | $14,960 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Engineering Physics degrees in Illinois
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 90 | $64,304 |
| 2 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 5 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit | 2 | $54,165 |
| 6 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Physicists (SOC 19-2012).
Top skills
What Physicists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Engineering Physics programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Engineering Physics degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (90 graduates a year), University of Chicago (19 graduates a year) and Northwestern University (7 graduates a year) award the most Engineering Physics degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Illinois colleges offer Engineering Physics.
Which Engineering Physics program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign tops the list at $64,304. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Physicists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Physicists in Illinois is $139,780 (median $137,140), across about 1,590 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Engineering Physics program?+
Engineering Physics is a dynamic field that merges pure science with engineering principles, preparing students for innovative problem-solving in technology and research. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, mathematics, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Physicists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.0% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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