2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in biological & physical sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $30,509. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,363. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $18,345. That is a strong return on a $6,363 median debt.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for biological & physical sciences. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,500. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $23,128. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $27,320. That is a strong return on a $8,315 median debt.
Richland Community College came in at #6 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,984. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College earned the #9 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Kishwaukee College earned the #10 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,407. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $24,070. That is a strong return on a $9,407 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #11 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,632. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $21,956. That is a strong return on a $6,632 median debt.
Oakton Community College came in at #13 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,271 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $42,425 early in their careers. Set against $8,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College came in at #15 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College earned the #17 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,884 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Morton College earn a median of $22,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #19 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,583 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $26,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College landed the #21 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $28,614. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
College Of Lake County ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $37,724. That is a strong return on a $7,833 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #23 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $44,286. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John A Logan College came in at #25 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,479. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Set against $10,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & physical sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
