65 Best Physics schools in Illinois

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in Illinois ranked based on their research performance in Physics. A graph of 15.9M citations received by 438K academic papers made by 65 universities in Illinois was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Champaign

For Physics

#6 in the United States

#6 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

2. Northwestern University

Evanston

For Physics

#24 in the United States

#25 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

3. University of Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#28 in the United States

#29 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

4. University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#61 in the United States

#70 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

5. Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago

For Physics

#131 in the United States

#154 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $28,702

6. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Carbondale

For Physics

#172 in the United States

#200 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1020
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 99%

7. Northern Illinois University

DeKalb

For Physics

#187 in the United States

#215 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $12,552
Enrollment: 15,649

8. Loyola University Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#202 in the United States

#230 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $37,511

9. Illinois State University

Normal

For Physics

#240 in the United States

#273 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 98%

10. DePaul University

Chicago

For Physics

#282 in the United States

#322 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $32,151

11. Illinois College

Jacksonville

For Physics

#288 in the United States

#328 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1043
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $16,296

12. Saint Xavier University

Chicago

For Physics

#296 in the United States

#336 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Net Price: $11,302
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,886

13. Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

Edwardsville

For Physics

#301 in the United States

#341 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 98%
Average SAT: 1045
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

14. Rush University

Chicago

For Physics

#356 in the United States

#401 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 2,870
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1972

15. Bradley University

Peoria

For Physics

#387 in the United States

#434 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 27
Net Price: $24,053

16. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

North Chicago

For Physics

#391 in the United States

#438 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 1,940
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1912

17. NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia

Evanston

For Physics

#405 in the United States

#453 in North America

Enrollment: 75
Male:Female: 30:70

18. Saint Anthony College of Nursing

Rockford

For Physics

#423 in the United States

#472 in North America

Net Price: $20,319
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $12,832
Enrollment: 242

19. Eastern Illinois University

Charleston

For Physics

#431 in the United States

#482 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1010
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $11,773

20. Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#435 in the United States

#486 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 40
Male:Female: 77:23

21. Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington

For Physics

#449 in the United States

#501 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $30,096

22. Western Illinois University

Macomb

For Physics

#451 in the United States

#504 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $15,632
Enrollment: 7,643

23. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#477 in the United States

#530 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Net Price: $53,923
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $18,290

24. University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield

For Physics

#539 in the United States

#594 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1104
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 98%

25. Roosevelt University

Chicago

For Physics

#603 in the United States

#660 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 960
Average ACT: 21
Net Price: $22,117

26. Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago

For Physics

#610 in the United States

#668 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 94%
Average Aid: $15,143
Enrollment: 5,756

27. North Central College

Naperville

For Physics

#647 in the United States

#705 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $25,285

28. Lake Forest College

Lake Forest

For Physics

#680 in the United States

#740 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1247
Average ACT: 29
Net Price: $27,839

29. Wheaton College - Illinois

Wheaton

For Physics

#691 in the United States

#751 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $29,961

30. Knox College

Galesburg

For Physics

#700 in the United States

#761 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $26,882

31. Chicago State University

Chicago

For Physics

#717 in the United States

#778 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $15,891
Enrollment: 2,317

32. Illinois College of Optometry

Chicago

For Physics

#797 in the United States

#862 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 481
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1872

33. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#874 in the United States

#941 in North America

Enrollment: 133
Male:Female: 51:49

34. Benedictine University

Lisle

For Physics

#883 in the United States

#950 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Net Price: $25,658
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $20,083

35. Governors State University

University Park

For Physics

#911 in the United States

#978 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 945
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $11,987

36. Augustana College

Rock Island

For Physics

#925 in the United States

#993 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $24,660

37. Elmhurst College

Elmhurst

For Physics

#942 in the United States

#1011 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $24,108

38. Rockford University

Rockford

For Physics

#951 in the United States

#1020 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 963
Average ACT: 16
Net Price: $25,047

39. Dominican University

River Forest

For Physics

#974 in the United States

#1043 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1015
Average ACT: 19
Net Price: $18,162

40. Blackburn College

Carlinville

For Physics

#978 in the United States

#1047 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Net Price: $21,575
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $14,112

41. Greenville University

Greenville

For Physics

#989 in the United States

#1058 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1009
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $20,718

42. Monmouth College

Monmouth

For Physics

#998 in the United States

#1067 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 91%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $20,237

43. National Louis University

Chicago

For Physics

#1009 in the United States

#1079 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Net Price: $14,769
Receiving Aid: 98%
Average Aid: $9,641

44. Lewis University

Romeoville

For Physics

#1025 in the United States

#1096 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1105
Average ACT: 25
Net Price: $19,184

45. Columbia College Chicago

Chicago

For Physics

#1056 in the United States

#1129 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Net Price: $28,387
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $18,020

46. DeVry University - Illinois

Chicago

For Physics

#1060 in the United States

#1133 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1075
Average ACT: 41
Net Price: $30,112

47. Millikin University

Decatur

For Physics

#1082 in the United States

#1155 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1065
Average ACT: 24
Net Price: $10,492

48. John Marshall Law School

Chicago

For Physics

#1141 in the United States

#1216 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Founded: 1899

49. Saint Augustine College

Chicago

For Physics

#1160 in the United States

#1235 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Net Price: $10,288
Receiving Aid: 95%
Average Aid: $10,468

50. Kendall College

Chicago

For Physics

#1185 in the United States

#1261 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Net Price: $30,324
Receiving Aid: 69%
Average Aid: $7,984

51. University of St Francis

Joliet

For Physics

#1214 in the United States

#1290 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $18,560

52. North Park University

Chicago

For Physics

#1222 in the United States

#1298 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average ACT: 21
Net Price: $19,029
Receiving Aid: 100%

53. McKendree University

Lebanon

For Physics

#1233 in the United States

#1309 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Net Price: $22,431
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $24,145

54. Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais

For Physics

#1240 in the United States

#1316 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Net Price: $20,059
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $29,708

55. Principia College

Elsah

For Physics

#1246 in the United States

#1322 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Average SAT: 1135
Net Price: $18,039
Receiving Aid: 94%

56. Erikson Institute

Chicago

For Physics

#1265 in the United States

#1341 in North America

Enrollment: 331
Male:Female: 2:98

57. Aurora University

Aurora

For Physics

#1267 in the United States

#1343 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1089
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $19,350

58. National University of Health Sciences

Lombard

For Physics

#1287 in the United States

#1363 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Enrollment: 498
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1906

59. Bexley Hall Seabury Western Theological Seminary Federation, Inc.

Chicago

For Physics

#1341 in the United States

#1419 in North America

Enrollment: 62
Male:Female: 51:49

60. Adler University

Chicago

For Physics

#1412 in the United States

#1494 in North America

Enrollment: 1,841
Male:Female: 18:82
Founded: 1952

61. Eureka College

Eureka

For Physics

#1420 in the United States

#1502 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Net Price: $19,443
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $19,367

62. Quincy University

Quincy

For Physics

#1424 in the United States

#1506 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 62%
Net Price: $11,985
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $31,052

63. Concordia University - Chicago

River Forest

For Physics

#1442 in the United States

#1524 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Net Price: $18,832
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $25,141

64. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Evanston

For Physics

#1457 in the United States

#1540 in North America

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 280
Male:Female: 46:54

65. McCormick Theological Seminary

Chicago

For Physics

#1466 in the United States

#1549 in North America

Enrollment: 162
Male:Female: 59:41

Closest to Illinois states to learn Physics

State	Universities Unis	Best university country rank Best uni rank
Indiana	30	27
Missouri	34	52
Iowa	26	36
Kentucky	25	72
Wisconsin	30	14
Tennessee	32	56
Ohio	57	23
Michigan	36	5
Arkansas	18	118
West Virginia	16	115
Minnesota	26	15
Mississippi	14	143
Kansas	14	94
Alabama	24	98
Virginia	40	43
Georgia	43	17
North Carolina	39	39
Oklahoma	19	93
Nebraska	11	84
South Carolina	26	82
Pennsylvania	102	12
South Dakota	8	252
District of Columbia	9	111
Louisiana	24	76
Maryland	26	18
Delaware	3	57
New York	131	8
New Jersey	26	9
North Dakota	7	169
Connecticut	20	25
Texas	74	13
Vermont	11	135
Colorado	19	35
Massachusetts	68	1
Rhode Island	9	58
Florida	51	29
New Hampshire	11	101
New Mexico	9	80
Maine	13	186
Montana	7	147
Utah	10	42
Arizona	9	30
Idaho	7	156
Nevada	6	129
Oregon	17	79
Washington	30	10
California	125	2
Puerto Rico	14	283
Alaska	4	184
Hawaii	7	114