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2022 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

38 Ranked Colleges
2,622 Degrees Awarded
$13,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 91,804 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, biology studies is the 6th most popular major in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 2,622 biology studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in biology studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality biology studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the biology studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 114 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $1,866 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 148 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Biology Studies at UChicago

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $5,477 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at UIUC

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 153 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,055 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUE Biology Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 420 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $10,648 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 136 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,281 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NIU Biology Studies Report

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $11,266 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Saint Xavier University

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $9,771 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Biology Studies at University of Illinois at Springfield

#9

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in University Park, Illinois, this small public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $10,872 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at GSU

#10

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 131 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,470 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Illinois State

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 83 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,350 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full Eastern Illinois University Biology Studies Report

#12

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $15,847 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis Biology Studies Report

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 95 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $13,942 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full WIU Biology Studies Report

#14

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 21 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Aurora, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora is $14,103 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Aurora Biology Studies Report

#15

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 23 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $11,376 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Biology Studies at Illinois College

#16

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,440 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,658 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Full SIUC Biology Studies Report

#18

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 99 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also took the #4 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,355 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Augustana.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Biology Studies at Augustana College

#19

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Elmhurst is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,903 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Elmhurst

#20

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lake Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 24 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,192 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Forest College.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Lake Forest

#21

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Millikin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,656 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Biology Studies at Millikin

#22

Blackburn College

Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Blackburn College is a small school located in Carlinville, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,812 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Blackburn College.

Read more about Biology Studies at Blackburn College

With a ranking of #23, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 94 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,816 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Biology Studies Report

#24

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,570 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Illinois Wesleyan

#25

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Knox College is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend Knox is $16,828 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Knox College

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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