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2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

38 Ranked Colleges
2,622 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 91,804 biology studies students received their degree, making the major the 6th most popular in the country.

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

For this year’s “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 114 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $3,995 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 148 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,800 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Chicago Biology Studies Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #20 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,464 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIUC.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Biology Studies at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #18 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,323 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIS.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Biology Studies Report

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 153 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Biology Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 420 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 UIC Biology Studies Report

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 136 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Illinois University is $15,861 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Northern Illinois University

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $11,962 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SXU Biology Studies Report

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 83 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend EIU is $11,316 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Biology Studies Report

#10

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of St Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $11,229 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#11

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend GSU is $12,046 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full GSU Biology Studies Report

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Aurora is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,845 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Aurora 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 more about Biology Studies at Aurora

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 131 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,999 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State.

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%.

Full Illinois State University Biology Studies Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. WIU is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 95 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,526 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Biology Studies Report

#15

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Knox College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

Knox did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $19,186 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Knox College.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read full report on Biology Studies at Knox College

#16

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

Illinois College also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $12,454 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Illinois College Biology Studies Report

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 $30-$48k 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.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Biology Studies at SIUC

#18

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lake Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $19,152 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Biology Studies at Lake Forest

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 94 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Biology Studies Report

#20

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.

Elmhurst also took the #13 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst University is $17,837 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Elmhurst Biology Studies Report

#21

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dominican U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 23 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,586 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dominican U.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Biology Studies at Dominican University

#22

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Wheaton, Illinois. 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. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for illinois biological sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Biology Studies at Wheaton College Illinois

#23

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Augustana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 99 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $16,249 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Biology Studies at Augustana College

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 18 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin also took the #21 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,692 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millikin.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Millikin University Biology Studies Report

#25

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bloomington, Illinois. It awarded 26 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $19,857 for Illinois Biological Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Full Illinois Wesleyan University Biology Studies Report

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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