2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Biology Studies](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biology-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 232 schools to find the best return on investment for biology studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Leading the list is Sinclair Community College, our #1 best value for biology studies in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $20,380 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,145. That is a strong return on a $20,380 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $20,631. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. That is a strong return on a $20,631 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Northwest is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in biology studies will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #6 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $22,116 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $33,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,116 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for value in biology studies this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #8 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $17,032. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,032 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #9 for value in biology studies this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College placed #10 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #11 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $11,889. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University came in at #12 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $29,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mott Community College came in at #13 for value in biology studies this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $28,480. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Northern Illinois University came in at #14 for value in biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $23,630. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,630 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #15 for value in biology studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #16 among the best values for biology studies. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $47,191. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #17 position for value in biology studies this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $23,836 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $20,671 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Governors State University landed the #18 spot for biology studies value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $43,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $14,031 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,031 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #20 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $32,844. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Indiana State University landed the #21 spot for biology studies value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,948 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,656. That is a strong return on a $21,948 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University came in at #22 for value in biology studies this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career biology studies graduates make about $27,334. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #23 among the best values for biology studies. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Biology Studies graduates carry a median of $27,585 in student loans. Biology Studies graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $40,936 early in their careers. Set against $27,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #24 position for value in biology studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,696 to complete the biology studies program here. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $42,937. That is a strong return on a $24,696 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University placed #25 among the best values for biology studies. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,939 to complete the biology studies program here. Biology Studies graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $37,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,939 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology studies:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 232 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 131 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.
