2026 Best Value General Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general biology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,854 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $35,348. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Students borrow a median of $20,631 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,380. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,145. That is a strong return on a $20,380 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

4

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #4 place for general biology. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Students looking for strong value in general biology will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $22,116. General Biology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $33,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #6 spot for general biology value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College
Blue Ash, OH

University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earned the #8 position for value in general biology this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. General Biology graduates carry a median of $17,032 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. 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. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $18,876. General Biology graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College
Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #11 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. General Biology graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $19,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $29,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

13

Mott Community College
Flint, MI

Mott Community College earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,845 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $28,480. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,630 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $42,339. Set against $23,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

15

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, general biology 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%.

16

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #16 among the best values for general biology. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. General Biology graduates carry a median of $23,836 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $20,671. That is a strong return on a $23,836 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #17 spot for general biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $47,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,396 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

18

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #18 for value in general biology this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $43,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

19

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University earned the #19 position for value in general biology this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,392 early in their careers. Set against $14,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $32,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

21

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University placed #21 among the best values for general biology. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. General Biology graduates carry a median of $21,948 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $43,656 early in their careers. Set against $21,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

22

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $26,000. Early-career general biology graduates make about $27,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #23 position for value in general biology this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,696. Soon after graduation, general biology 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. The acceptance rate is 84%.

24

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University earned the #24 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,585. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

25

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,939 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $37,977 early in their careers. Set against $26,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.