2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value biological & physical science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for biological & physical science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $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 science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,363 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $18,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,363 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,315 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science 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 landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #7 for value in biological & physical science 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, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Triton College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $29,069. That is a strong return on a $10,984 median debt.
Spoon River College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
Kishwaukee College landed the #10 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $24,070. Set against $9,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #11 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science 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 science 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,632 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science 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.
Oakton Community College placed #13 among the best values for biological & physical science. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,750. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College came in at #14 for value in biological & physical science this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Students borrow a median of $8,271 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science 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 ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #16 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #17 for value in biological & physical science 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. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College earned the #18 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Morton College generally make around $22,435. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #19 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $26,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,583 median debt.
Prairie State College landed the #20 spot for biological & physical science value 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $37,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College earned the #21 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $28,614. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County earned the #22 position for value in biological & physical science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $7,833 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $37,724 early in their careers. Set against $7,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #23 spot for biological & physical science value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $44,286. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
John A Logan College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical science this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.
