2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 160 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biology studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biology studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in biology studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $28,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,730. Biology Studies graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,882. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Ferris State University landed the #7 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $27,334. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Mott Community College landed the #8 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $28,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #10 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $26,888 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana State University placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $43,656 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College came in at #12 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,854. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University placed #14 among the best values for biology studies. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,836. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $20,671. Set against $23,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #16 spot for biology studies value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $29,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,380. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,145. That is a strong return on a $20,380 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University earned the #18 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,939 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $37,977. That is a strong return on a $26,939 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #19 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $35,275 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,630. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. Set against $23,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,707. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #22 spot for biology studies value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,686. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #23 position for value in biology studies this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $33,155. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast placed #24 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $24,890. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,707. Set against $24,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,368 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $38,122 early in their careers. Set against $25,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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.
