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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

38 Ranked Colleges
2,863 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology 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. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 102,043 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $28,233 and had an average of $23,964 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 2,863 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,700 and $25,592 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree in general biology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general biology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (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 Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 114 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,995 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Biology at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 148 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,800 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UChicago.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Biology at University of Chicago

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 Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $8,464 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIUC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign General Biology Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $8,323 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UIS.

Read more about General Biology at University of Illinois at Springfield

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 153 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $9,938 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Biology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 420 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $11,185 for illinois biology 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%.

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

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 136 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,861 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Read full report on General Biology at Northern Illinois University

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 39 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also took the #22 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SXU is $11,962 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Biology at SXU

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $11,316 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Biology at EIU

#10

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $11,229 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis General Biology Report

#11

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Governors State University is a public institution located in University Park, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $12,046 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Governors State University General Biology Report

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Aurora has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $13,845 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about General Biology at Aurora

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 131 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,999 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State General Biology Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 95 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $14,526 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Biology at WIU

#15

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Knox College is $19,186 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 General Biology at Knox

#16

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 23 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $12,454 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Biology at Illinois College

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 50 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,306 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Full SIUC General Biology Report

#18

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lake Forest is a small school located in Lake Forest, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest is $19,152 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest General Biology Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 94 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,513 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read more about General Biology at Northeastern Illinois University

#20

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Elmhurst University is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $17,837 for Illinois Biology 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%.

Read full report on General Biology at Elmhurst University

#21

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dominican University is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 23 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,586 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dominican University.

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.

Full Dominican University General Biology Report

#22

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wheaton, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s 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 General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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.

Full Wheaton College Illinois General Biology Report

#23

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augustana College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augustana has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana College is $16,249 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about General Biology at Augustana College

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,692 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Millikin University.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Biology at Millikin

#25

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Bloomington, Illinois, and it awarded 26 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan University is $19,857 for illinois biology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Biology at Illinois Wesleyan

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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