2027 Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois
Biology Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biology studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Biology Studies in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biology studies education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Biology Studies
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 school for biology studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 22 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for biology studies. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 145 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $86,946 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $14,800 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for Northwestern University
University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 116 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $35,275. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Chicago
Illinois Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 28 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans.
Read more about the biology studies program at Illinois Institute Of Technology
Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 16 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $43,654 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #6 for biology studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 377 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,768 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 for biology studies this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 113 biology studies degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $47,191 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,396.
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Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 262 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at Loyola University Chicago
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 81 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $42,339 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,630 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for Northern Illinois University
Illinois State University landed the #10 spot for biology studies this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 102 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $36,337. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,672 in student loans.
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Augustana College Illinois ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best biology studies schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 biology studies degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $32,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Northeastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 44 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,392 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete this degree.
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Benedictine University placed #13 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 82 biology studies degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $29,215 early in their careers. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,278 in student loans.
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Depaul University came in at #14 for biology studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 58 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $30,750. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the biology studies program at Depaul University
Trinity Christian College came in at #15 for biology studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Trinity Christian College in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Trinity Christian College graduates carry a median of $28,722 in student loans.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Trinity Christian College
Lewis University came in at #16 for biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $35,948 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for Lewis University
North Central College placed #17 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 24 biology studies degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at North Central College
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #18 spot for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois Wesleyan University awarded about 31 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #19 among the best biology studies schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 25 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $33,882 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield
Eastern Illinois University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best biology studies schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 97 biology studies degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree.
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Lake Forest College landed the #21 spot for biology studies this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Lake Forest College earn around $33,380 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for Lake Forest College
Aurora University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. Aurora University awarded about 25 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,163 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for Aurora University
Millikin University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best biology studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Decatur. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Millikin University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,631 to complete this degree.
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Olivet Nazarene University placed #24 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 17 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $33,908 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Elmhurst College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best biology studies schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 30 biology studies degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $30,804 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,287.
Read more about the biology studies program at Elmhurst College
Rest of the Top 38 Biology Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best 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 a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 38 schools evaluated.
- 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.
