2026 Best Value General Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Biomedical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/biomedical-sciences-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general biomedical sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general biomedical sciences students.
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2026 Best Value General Biomedical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general biomedical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Biomedical Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best value for a degree in general biomedical sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,380 in student loans. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $40,145 early in their careers. Set against $20,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general biomedical sciences will find it at Millikin University, which ranked #2. 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 general biomedical sciences graduates is $20,631. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Set against $20,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general biomedical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $28,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for general biomedical sciences. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $19,000. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $49,025. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for general biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best values for general biomedical sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $26,888 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #7 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $22,937. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #8 spot for general biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the general biomedical sciences program here. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $26,707. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general biomedical sciences schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the general biomedical sciences program here. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $27,497. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biomedical sciences schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $32,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #11 among the best values for general biomedical sciences. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $26,748. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $40,959 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #12 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $28,206. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Toledo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general biomedical sciences schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $19,557. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $42,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,362 to complete the general biomedical sciences program here. General Biomedical Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $32,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Chicago came in at #15 for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $13,500. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $35,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Alverno College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general biomedical sciences schools. Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $34,086. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $34,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from Alverno College generally make around $26,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University earned the #17 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $28,440 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the general biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $46,127. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University placed #18 among the best values for general biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $33,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #19 spot for general biomedical sciences value this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $26,499. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Set against $26,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for general biomedical sciences. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $35,955. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Evansville came in at #22 for value in general biomedical sciences this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $59,618. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general biomedical sciences schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for general biomedical sciences graduates is $26,849. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $26,435. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Roosevelt University earned the #24 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biomedical sciences program here. Early-career general biomedical sciences graduates make about $30,730. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general biomedical sciences this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. General Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $34,092. Set against $20,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Biomedical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general biomedical sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
