2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in Illinois

[Biochemistry](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biochemistry-biophysics-molecular-biology/biochemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biochemistry students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biochemistry Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biochemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biochemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in biochemistry in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $34,308. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for biochemistry. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the biochemistry program here. Soon after graduation, biochemistry degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Rockford College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biochemistry, landing the #4 spot this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,780. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the biochemistry program here. Early-career biochemistry graduates make about $56,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value biochemistry schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for biochemistry graduates is $25,000. Biochemistry graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $38,487 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Biochemistry Rankings
View All Biochemistry Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.