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2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

38 Ranked Colleges
2,863 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 102,043 general biology students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. 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.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in general biology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general biology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 114 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $6,452 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 148 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $7,934 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 University of Chicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIS has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $11,857 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at UIS

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. 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 also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,683 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC General Biology 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 #4 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $13,351 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. NIU 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. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $18,346 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at Northern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 153 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $13,705 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 39 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $14,907 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about 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 $48-$75k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 83 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,560 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Read full report on General Biology at Eastern Illinois University

#10

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $14,220 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Saint Francis.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 University of St Francis

#11

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Aurora University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Aurora, Illinois. It awarded 21 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aurora University is $15,881 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Aurora General Biology Report

#12

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. 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.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $19,691 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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.

Read full report on General Biology at Wheaton College Illinois

#13

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 99 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $21,453 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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 more about General Biology at Augustana College

#14

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

It costs about $11,872 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Governors State University.

Read more about General Biology at Governors State University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 50 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,985 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale General Biology Report

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 95 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $15,912 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at WIU

#17

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 131 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $19,080 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on General Biology at Illinois State

#18

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Quincy, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,717 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Quincy University.

Read full report on General Biology at Quincy University

#19

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $19,703 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 more about General Biology at Elmhurst

#20

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Millikin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decatur, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Millikin also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $20,390 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Millikin General Biology Report

#21

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Forest, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $24,683 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lake Forest College.

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 full report on General Biology at Lake Forest College

#22

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $19,653 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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%.

Full Knox General Biology Report

#23

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $14,942 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Biology at Illinois College

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 94 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $18,180 for Illinois Biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Biology at Northeastern Illinois University

#25

Blackburn College

Carlinville, Illinois

Blackburn College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Blackburn College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Carlinville, Illinois. It awarded 10 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Blackburn College is $16,444 for illinois biology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Blackburn College General Biology 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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