2027 Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Biological & Physical Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biological & physical science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Biological & Physical Science in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biological & physical science education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Biological & Physical Science
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best biological & physical science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 18 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Notre Dame is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biological & physical science, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 64 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $75,418 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University Of Notre Dame
A rank of #3 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 155 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from College Of Lake County earn around $37,724 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,833 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at College Of Lake County
Students looking for a strong biological & physical science program will find one at Harper College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. There were roughly 413 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $27,081. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Harper College
Joliet Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 147 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $30,509 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Joliet Junior College
Elgin Community College landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 187 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Elgin Community College
Dominican University placed #7 among the best biological & physical science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Dominican University awarded about 10 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $45,546 early in their careers. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans.
Get the full biological & physical science details for Dominican University
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #8 position for biological & physical science this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 135 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn around $26,130 in the first couple years of their career. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans.
More information about a degree in biological & physical science from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Mchenry County College placed #9 among the best biological & physical science schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. There were roughly 167 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Mchenry County College earn around $28,614 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full biological & physical science details for Mchenry County College
Waubonsee Community College landed the #10 spot for biological & physical science this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. There were roughly 273 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $24,939 early in their careers. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $8,067 in student loans.
More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Waubonsee Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #11 position for biological & physical science this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 139 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn around $33,115 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Grand Valley State University earned the #12 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 10 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $44,525 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Grand Valley State University
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best biological & physical science schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 167 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree.
See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #14 position for biological & physical science this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 123 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $18,345 in their early career. Illinois Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $6,363 in student loans.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Illinois Valley Community College
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best biological & physical science schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. About 118 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $29,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,196 to complete this degree.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Southwestern Illinois College
Lake Land College earned the #16 position for biological & physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 41 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Lake Land College
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #17 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College awarded about 30 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $26,939. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
Get the full biological & physical science details for City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
Rend Lake College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 94 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Rend Lake College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $24,444 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,688.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Rend Lake College
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 267 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $23,128 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Moraine Valley Community College
Rock Valley College earned the #20 position for biological & physical science this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. About 176 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $21,956 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,632.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Rock Valley College
College Of Dupage ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. There were roughly 244 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $22,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,664 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biological & physical science from College Of Dupage
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #22 position for biological & physical science this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 89 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $27,320 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,315 to complete this degree.
See the full biological & physical science program report for Lewis And Clark Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #23 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. There were roughly 133 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,203 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,965.
See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Black Hawk College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 68 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Black Hawk College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full biological & physical science details for Black Hawk College
Oakton Community College earned the #25 position for biological & physical science this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. There were roughly 44 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $48,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,750.
Read more about the biological & physical science program at Oakton Community College
Rest of the Top 49 Biological & Physical Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best 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. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.
- 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.
