2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Illinois
[Biological & Biomedical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & biomedical sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & biomedical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Millikin University the best value for a degree in biological & biomedical sciences in Illinois. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $20,631 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. Set against $20,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Students looking for strong value in biological & biomedical sciences will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences 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.
Students looking for strong value in biological & biomedical sciences will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $15,590 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $23,630. Biological & Biomedical Sciences 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & biomedical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $43,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #6 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,939 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $37,977. That is a strong return on a $26,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,585 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $40,936. That is a strong return on a $27,585 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $40,392. Set against $14,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. 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. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $22,396. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Augustana College Illinois placed #10 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,807 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $36,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $22,725. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $29,784. That is a strong return on a $22,725 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $39,223 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,477. That is a strong return on a $39,223 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Dominican University came in at #14 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $25,117. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $26,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of St Francis came in at #15 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $70,918. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #16 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $33,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,965. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Illinois College landed the #18 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,533. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $31,438. Set against $26,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #19 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $35,948. That is a strong return on a $26,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Quincy University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
North Park University earned the #21 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of North Park University earn a median of $33,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University placed #23 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $24,163. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $35,069. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Roosevelt University came in at #25 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $30,730. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & biomedical sciences value ranking:
More Biological & Biomedical Sciences Rankings
View All Biological & Biomedical Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
