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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Biology Studies Schools in Illinois

35 Colleges in the United States
2,278 Biology Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,488 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biology Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 schools to find the best for biology studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biology Studies in Illinois

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.

Top Schools in Biology Studies

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year for biology studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. See the full biology studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for biology studies. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 155 biology studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $86,946 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $14,800 in student loans. More information about a degree in biology studies from Northwestern University

3

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #3. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 126 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $35,275 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at University Of Chicago

4

Students looking for a strong biology studies program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. About 23 biology studies degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Wheaton College Illinois

5

Illinois Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biology studies, ranking #5. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 biology studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $71,315 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. Read more about the biology studies program at Illinois Institute Of Technology

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #6 for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 369 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Get the full biology studies details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #7 position for biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. 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. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $47,191 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,396. See the full biology studies program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

8

Northern Illinois University earned the #8 position for biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 75 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $42,339 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,630. More information about a degree in biology studies from Northern Illinois University

9

Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 263 biology studies degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $27,226 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at Loyola University Chicago

10

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 biology studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $40,392 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at Northeastern Illinois University

11

Illinois State University placed #11 among the best biology studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 130 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,337 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $24,672 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Illinois State University

12

Bradley University landed the #12 spot for biology studies this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $54,513 in their early career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the biology studies program at Bradley University

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #13 among the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $30,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full biology studies details for Depaul University

14
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College earned the #14 position for biology studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lake Forest College awarded about 30 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Lake Forest College earn around $33,380 in the first couple years of their career. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full biology studies details for Lake Forest College

15
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #15 position for biology studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Central College awarded about 25 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. North Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full biology studies program report for North Central College

16

Augustana College Illinois came in at #16 for biology studies this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. About 52 biology studies degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $32,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full biology studies details for Augustana College Illinois

17

Benedictine University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 85 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $29,215. Typical student debt for the program is $25,278. Read more about the biology studies program at Benedictine University

18

Eastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for biology studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full biology studies program report for Eastern Illinois University

19
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 21 biology studies degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $32,691 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,163 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biology studies from Aurora University

20

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #20 among the best biology studies schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 26 biology studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the biology studies program at Illinois Wesleyan University

21

Millikin University earned the #21 position for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 15 biology studies degrees were awarded at Millikin University in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from Millikin University earn around $58,852 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,631. Read more about the biology studies program at Millikin University

22

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #22 for biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 15 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $33,908 early in their careers. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full biology studies program report for Olivet Nazarene University

23

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 35 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $33,882 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. See the full biology studies program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

24
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #24 position for biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 biology studies degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $35,948 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,499. More information about a degree in biology studies from Lewis University

25

University Of St Francis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of St Francis awarded about 16 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of St Francis earn around $70,918 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full biology studies program report for University Of St Francis

Rest of the Top 41 Biology Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong biology studies education:

26
27
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
28
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
29
30
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
31
32
33
Blackburn College crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
34
35
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
36
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
37
38
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL
39
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
40
41

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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