by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for general biology students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Millikin University, our #1 best value for general biology in Illinois. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. General Biology graduates carry a median of $20,631 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for general biology. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. General Biology graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $33,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for general biology. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for general biology. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $23,630. General Biology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. Set against $23,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for general biology. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $43,641. Set against $31,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in general biology this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general biology program here. 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in general biology this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. General Biology graduates carry a median of $27,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $40,936. That is a strong return on a $27,585 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. General Biology graduates carry a median of $26,939 in student loans. Early-career general biology graduates make about $37,977. Set against $26,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $14,031. Early-career general biology graduates make about $40,392. Set against $14,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $32,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $47,191. Set against $22,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $24,000. General Biology graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University earned the #13 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $39,223 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $39,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University came in at #14 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Students borrow a median of $25,117 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $26,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of St Francis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #16 spot for general biology value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $28,206. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. General Biology graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. General Biology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $35,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Illinois College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general biology schools. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Students borrow a median of $26,533 to complete the general biology program here. Early-career general biology graduates make about $31,438. That is a strong return on a $26,533 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #19 among the best values for general biology. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $35,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Quincy University placed #20 among the best values for general biology. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $37,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general biology graduates is $27,000. General Biology graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
North Park University landed the #21 spot for general biology value this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $33,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for value in general biology this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #23 for value in general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete the general biology program here. General Biology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,337 early in their careers. Set against $24,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Aurora University came in at #24 for value in general biology this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. General Biology graduates carry a median of $24,163 in student loans. General Biology graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $32,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Roosevelt University earned the #25 position for value in general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general biology program here. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $30,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.