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Normal, IL · Physics & astronomy

Physics & astronomy at Illinois State University

Illinois State University graduates about 30 physics & astronomy majors a year. That puts it 274th of 525 schools we score for physics & astronomy, a solid program at 47 out of 100. Graduates in the major earn a median $82,000 four years out, 1.07× what the same major pays nationally. Research spending in the field runs about $1 million a year, a rough guide to how many labs and projects undergraduates can join.

47/100Solid#274 of 525 for physics & astronomy →
Graduates a year30under 1% of the class
Median pay 4 years out$82,0001.07× the same major nationally
Research in the field$1Ma year, NSF
Admit rate88%whole school
SAT middle 50%1000–1210whole school

Around Illinois State University

Normal Fire Department Station 2 at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal IL (Mike Matejka
Normal Fire Tower Co 2Photo: Mike Matejka photo · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
yup.. he got boo'd
Govornor Rauner (21741991758)Photo: H. Michael Miley from Schaumburg, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
IMG_1044
Ralph Nader IMG 1044 (2421190687)Photo: soundfromwayout · CC BY 2.0 · source
Attendees at the Illinois State University tour stop of the "American Comeback T
Spring American Comeback Tour 2025 438Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Where physics & astronomy happens

Buildings on campus that fit the field: Carter Harris Physical Plant, Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Felmley Hall of Science Annex, Felmley Hall of Science, Science Lab Building.

Named buildings on the campus map: Academic 50 · Student housing 8 · Dorm 8 · Athletics 6 · Chapel 5 · Arts 3.

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Nearby in the physics & astronomy ranking

  1. Southern Connecticut State University 48
  2. California Lutheran University 48
  3. Loyola University Chicago 48
  4. University of North Carolina–Asheville 48
  5. Appalachian State University 47
  6. Ohio University 47
  7. University of Hawaii at Hilo 47
  8. University of Colorado Denver 47

Other strong majors at Illinois State University

How the score works

The score is out of 100 and compares Illinois State University with every school we score in physics & astronomy. It weighs the school's overall strength; how many students graduate in the major and what share of the class they are; research spending in the field (NSF); early pay against the same major nationally; how many courses the catalog lists; and test scores. 80+ is a standout program, 65+ strong, 45+ solid. Sources: US Department of Education (College Scorecard, IPEDS), NSF HERD, each school's current course catalog, OpenStreetMap and Wikimedia Commons.

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