2027 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in Illinois
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 44 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 Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in biological & physical science in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $30,509. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,363 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science 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 science schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,128 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science 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. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,315 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $27,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #6 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science 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 science schools. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,604. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Spoon River College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical science 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Triton College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,984. Biological & Physical Science 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 landed the #10 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,093 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. Set against $8,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #11 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,000. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College came in at #12 for value in biological & physical science this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,407. 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.
Shawnee Community College landed the #13 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $11,162. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Rock Valley College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $6,632 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $21,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morton College landed the #17 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science 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 science this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $15,663. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $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 science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,479. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #22 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $46,384. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $28,614. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College placed #24 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Kaskaskia College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical science:
More Biological & Physical Science Rankings
View All Biological & Physical Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
