2026 Best General Biology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general biology. 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%. There were roughly 20 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $57,461 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 307 general biology degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $40,145 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,380 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Purdue University Main Campus

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for general biology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 467 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $35,798 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full general biology program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the top schools for general biology. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 160 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $86,946. Students borrow a median of $14,800 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Northwestern University

5

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general biology, ranking #5. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 199 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $35,275 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,500. Get the full general biology details for University Of Chicago

6

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #6 spot for general biology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. About 79% of students finish within six years. Butler University awarded about 45 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $68,222 in their early career. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Butler University

7

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #7 among the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 267 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $36,500 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the general biology program at Indiana University Bloomington

8

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #8 position for general biology this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $43,654. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Wheaton College Illinois

9

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame earned the #9 position for general biology this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 125 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $32,876. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for University Of Notre Dame

10

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for general biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 29 general biology degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Get the full general biology details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

11

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #11 position for general biology this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse awarded about 249 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $46,305 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,034 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

12

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for general biology this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 540 general biology degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $32,356. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,362 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

13

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for general biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 306 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $26,888 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

14

Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 16 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $37,976 early in their careers. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,114 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at Kenyon College

15

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #15 for general biology this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 133 general biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Detroit Mercy earn around $19,882 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Detroit Mercy

16

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #16 for general biology this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 104 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $34,507 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #17 among the best general biology schools. 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 190 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $34,092 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,766 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

18

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #18 position for general biology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 374 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $28,768 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

19

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for general biology this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 135 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $47,191 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $22,396 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

20

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 75 general biology degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $42,339 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,630. Get the full general biology details for Northern Illinois University

21

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #21 for general biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 176 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $28,555. Students borrow a median of $25,296 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Marquette University

22

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford earned the #22 position for general biology this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 363 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $43,120 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,368. Read more about the general biology program at Miami University Oxford

23

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 600 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $26,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,849. Read more about the general biology program at Michigan State University

24

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $57,104. Typical student debt for the program is $23,998. See the full general biology program report for Cedarville University

25

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #25 position for general biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 287 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $27,226 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Loyola University Chicago