Best colleges for Physics in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Columbia College Chicago award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Illinois: 126, 115 and 45 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 28 Illinois colleges offer Physics and award 503 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
Top institution, 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 | $51,019 | 115 | 85% | — | $20,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Physics degrees in Illinois
Top 10 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 Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 126 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 115 | $51,019 |
| 3 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 45 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 40 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 6 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 7 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 8 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Wheaton College Wheaton Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 18 Illinois colleges offering Physics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State University | Normal | Public | 10 |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb | Public | 10 |
| Western Illinois University | Macomb | Public | 9 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville | Public | 5 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Knox College | Galesburg | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Public | 2 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Public | 1 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Public | 1 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Principia College | Elsah | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
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 Physics programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Physics degrees?+
University of Chicago (126 graduates a year), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (115 graduates a year) and Columbia College Chicago (45 graduates a year) award the most Physics degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 28 Illinois colleges offer Physics.
Which 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 $51,019. 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 Physics program?+
The Physics program focuses on the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. It encompasses various specializations, including Atomic/Molecular Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Optics/Optical Sciences, making it suitable…
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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