2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Illinois
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago tops our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $22,116 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,882. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $26,939. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $37,977. That is a strong return on a $26,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Governors State University one of the best values for biology studies. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $43,641 early in their careers. Set against $31,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in biology studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $33,686. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $35,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,630 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,630 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University earned the #9 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,117 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $26,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,585 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $40,936. That is a strong return on a $27,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of St Francis placed #11 among the best values for biology studies. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in biology studies this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,031 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,392. That is a strong return on a $14,031 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $47,191. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #14 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $28,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,499 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $35,948. That is a strong return on a $26,499 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Chicago State University came in at #16 for value in biology studies this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $39,223 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $39,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #18 for value in biology studies this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Biology Studies graduates of North Park University earn a median of $33,592 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,163 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,163 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College earned the #20 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $28,722. Biology Studies graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #21 position for value in biology studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $24,672 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,337. Set against $24,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #22 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $30,730. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #23 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $33,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
North Central College earned the #24 position for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $46,247. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Greenville College came in at #25 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,200. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $25,933 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,911. Set against $25,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biology studies this year:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
