Biology Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 232 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biology studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Biology Studies in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 ranking of the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 13 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 119 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $40,145 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,380.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Purdue University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong biology studies program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 467 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $35,798 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biology studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Northwestern University awarded about 155 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $86,946. Typical student debt for the program is $14,800.
Read more about the biology studies program at Northwestern University
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 126 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $35,275 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of Chicago
Butler University came in at #6 for biology studies this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 45 biology studies degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Butler University earn around $68,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for Butler University
Indiana University Bloomington placed #7 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 267 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $36,500 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Indiana University Bloomington
Wheaton College Illinois ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
See the full biology studies program report for Wheaton College Illinois
University Of Notre Dame earned the #9 position for biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 122 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $32,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750.
Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Notre Dame
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 24 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #11 among the best biology studies schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 249 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $46,305. Students borrow a median of $24,034 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 489 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,356 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,362.
See the full biology studies program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for biology studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 305 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $26,888 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Kenyon College came in at #14 for biology studies this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 16 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Kenyon College earn around $37,976 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Kenyon College
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $19,882 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from University Of Detroit Mercy
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #16 for biology studies this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. About 104 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $34,507. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full biology studies details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #17 for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 188 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,092. Typical student debt for the program is $20,766.
Get the full biology studies details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #18 for biology studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 369 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in biology studies from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #19 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 135 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $47,191 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Northern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for biology studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,630 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for Northern Illinois University
Marquette University earned the #21 position for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Marquette University earn around $28,555 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $25,296 in student loans.
Get the full biology studies details for Marquette University
Miami University Oxford landed the #22 spot for biology studies this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 361 biology studies degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $43,120 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,368 to complete this degree.
Get the full biology studies details for Miami University Oxford
Michigan State University placed #23 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 585 biology studies degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $26,435 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans.
Read more about the biology studies program at Michigan State University
Cedarville University placed #24 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $23,998 in student loans.
Read more about the biology studies program at Cedarville University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #25 spot for biology studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 263 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $27,226. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the biology studies program at Loyola University Chicago
Rest of the Top 50 Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong biology studies education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 232 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).
