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2023 Best Value Colleges for Biological & Physical Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

29 Ranked Colleges
5,024 Degrees Awarded
$4,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

Biological & Physical Science is the 38th most popular major in the country with 30,075 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, biological and physical science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $30,402 and had an average of $15,005 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,024 biological and physical science graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,149 and $9,786 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in biological and physical science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent biological and physical science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the biological and physical science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Biological & Physical Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 74 degrees to qualified ’s biological science students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,872 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 97%.

Full Notre Dame Biological & Physical Science Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elgin Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 164 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,273 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elgin Community College.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Elgin Community College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 421 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

MVCC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $-210 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at MVCC

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 222 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $2,045 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at Harold Washington College

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 71 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Richard J Daley College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,380 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Richard J Daley College

6
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 280 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $2,249 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Waubonsee Biological & Physical Science Report

7

William Rainey Harper College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 401 diplomas to qualified ’s biological science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Harper College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $5,504 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at William Rainey Harper College

8

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 186 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $1,736 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

9

Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Godfrey, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological science degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

Lewis and Clark Community College also made our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $4,423 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis and Clark Community College.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College Biological & Physical Science Report

10
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois

Triton College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Triton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,067 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Triton College Biological & Physical Science Report

11
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Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southwestern Illinois College is located in Belleville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s biological science degrees to qualified students.

SWIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,484 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southwestern Illinois College.

Full SWIC Biological & Physical Science Report

12
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 164 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Joliet Junior College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,304 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Joliet Junior College

13

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s biological science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Stevens Point has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,903 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - Stevens Point.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Biological & Physical Science Report

14

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, this small public school awarded 147 degrees to qualified ’s biological science students in 2020-2021.

IVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IVCC is $3,562 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Illinois Valley Community College

15
Kishwaukee College crest
Kishwaukee College
Malta, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Kishwaukee College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Malta, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological science degrees to 155 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kishwaukee College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,074 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kishwaukee College.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Kishwaukee College

16
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 67 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

LLCC also took the #20 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,925 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend LLCC.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at LLCC

17
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 138 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC also made our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $6,245 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at McHenry County College

18

Grand Valley State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 24 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, GVSU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Biological & Physical Science Report

19
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, Illinois

Morton College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Morton College is located in Cicero, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s biological science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Morton College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Morton College is $6,450 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Morton College

20
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Rock Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rockford, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological science degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rock Valley College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,242 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rock Valley College.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at Rock Valley College

21

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 105 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Malcolm X College has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,968 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Malcolm X College.

Read more about Biological & Physical Science at Malcolm X College

22
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s biological science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,136 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Lake Land College

23

With a ranking of #23, John Wood Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Quincy, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological science degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

John Wood Community College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend John Wood Community College is $4,696 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at John Wood Community College

24
Highland Community College crest
Highland Community College
Freeport, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Highland Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Highland Community College is a public institution located in Freeport, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Highland Community College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Highland Community College is $5,363 for great lakes region biological science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Highland Community College Biological & Physical Science Report

25
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, Illinois

Parkland College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Parkland College is a medium-sized school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 103 ’s biological science degrees in 2020-2021.

Parkland College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Parkland College is $8,110 for Great Lakes Region Biological Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Parkland College Biological & Physical Science Report

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