2027 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Biotechnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biotechnology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biotechnology schools.
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2027 Best Value Biotechnology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biotechnology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biotechnology Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among biotechnology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Ball State University one of the best values for biotechnology. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biotechnology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Biotechnology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in biotechnology will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the biotechnology program here. Early-career biotechnology graduates make about $78,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Roosevelt University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the biotechnology program here. Biotechnology graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value biotechnology schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Biotechnology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biotechnology degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $75,972. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.