2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in biological & physical sciences in Illinois. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, 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.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,315. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $27,320. That is a strong return on a $8,315 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #6 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,562. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College earned the #7 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Spoon River College came in at #8 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Triton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,984. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Triton College earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,984 median debt.
South Suburban College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,271. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $42,425. That is a strong return on a $8,271 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #11 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. 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. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,407 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $24,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. That is a strong return on a $11,162 median debt.
Kankakee Community College placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #15 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College earned the #16 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,632 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $21,956 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College ranked #17 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $22,435. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College earned the #18 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Prairie State College came in at #19 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. 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.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. 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.
John A Logan College earned the #21 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $10,479. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $40,806. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport came in at #22 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College placed #23 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $28,614. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College earned the #24 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $5,500. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical sciences:
More Biological & Physical Sciences Rankings
View All Biological & Physical Sciences Rankings >
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
