2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Illinois
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
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2027 Best Value General Biology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Biology Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for general biology in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,000. General Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general biology 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. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $22,116 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,882. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,939. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,977. Set against $26,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general biology. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, general biology 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for general biology. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. General Biology graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $43,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,686. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,275. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #8 for value in general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,630 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,339. Set against $23,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Dominican University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,117 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $26,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #10 for value in general biology this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,585 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of St Francis placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,392. Set against $14,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #13 among the best values for general biology. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $47,191. Set against $22,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #14 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,499. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $35,948. Set against $26,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $39,223 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology 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. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University came in at #18 for value in general biology 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,592. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,163 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology 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. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College landed the #20 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $28,722. Early-career general biology graduates make about $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,672. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #22 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. General Biology graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $30,730 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general biology schools. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,908. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
North Central College landed the #24 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Greenville College placed #25 among the best values for general biology. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. General Biology graduates carry a median of $25,933 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $36,911. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general biology:
More General Biology Rankings
View All General Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
