10 Physical Sciences colleges in Illinois with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $68,362.
Top Physical Sciences graduates on this list earn over $91,885—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 9 programs deliver both access and results.
University Of Chicago leads the rankings, producing Physical Sciences graduates earning $91,885 while maintaining an 87th percentile mobility score. Northwestern University follows at $89,363 with a 90th percentile mobility rating, proving that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes, not just access.
University Of Illinois Chicago serves 50% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $68,740. The best mobility schools deliver a double win: University Of Chicago combines 87th percentile mobility with just a 3.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' affordability category.
Earnings: $91,885 | Mobility: 87th percentile
49.6% Pell students with $68,740 earnings
3.5% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
12.5% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $91,885 | — | — | — | — | 86th percentile mobility |
| #2 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $89,363 | — | — | — | — | 89th percentile mobility |
| #3 | $81,054 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | 98th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $68,751 | — | — | — | — | 85th percentile mobility |
| #5 | $68,740 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Manageable | 98th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $62,117 | $20,482 | Excellent | $28,767 | Challenging | 94th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | $57,808 | $22,162 | Excellent | $19,508 | Manageable | 92th percentile mobility | |
| #8 | $56,346 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Manageable | 89th percentile mobility | |
| #9 | $54,163 | $25,251 | Excellent | $20,764 | Manageable | 70th percentile mobility | |
| #10 | $53,390 | — | — | — | — | 88th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
