ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Biology Schools in Illinois

37 Colleges in the United States
2,574 General Biology Degrees Awarded
$40,267 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general biology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general biology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/general-biology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 26.01), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Biotechnology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for General Biology in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general biology education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Biology

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign the best school in the country for a degree in general biology. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 20 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. See the full general biology program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 160 general biology degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $86,946 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,800 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Northwestern University

3

University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is 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. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Chicago

4

Students looking for a strong general biology program will find one at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. Wheaton College Illinois graduates 85% of students within six years. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 23 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $43,654 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Wheaton College Illinois

5

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Illinois Institute Of Technology awarded about 29 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. Read more about the general biology program at Illinois Institute Of Technology

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 374 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,768. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #7 spot for general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 135 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $47,191 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,396 to complete this degree. See the full general biology program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

8

Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best general biology schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 75 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $42,339 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,630. More information about a degree in general biology from Northern Illinois University

9

Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot for general biology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 287 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $27,226 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full general biology program report for Loyola University Chicago

10

Northeastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best general biology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 57 general biology degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $40,392. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Northeastern Illinois University

11

Illinois State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 130 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $36,337 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,672 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Illinois State University

12

Bradley University came in at #12 for general biology this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 40 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $54,513 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general biology program report for Bradley University

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #13 position for general biology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 55 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Depaul University earn around $30,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from Depaul University

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

Lake Forest College placed #14 among the best general biology schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lake Forest College awarded about 30 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Lake Forest College earn around $33,380 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Lake Forest College

15
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #15 position for general biology this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 25 general biology degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. North Central College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at North Central College

16

Augustana College Illinois came in at #16 for general biology this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. About 73% of students finish within six years. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 52 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Augustana College Illinois earn around $32,844 in the first couple years of their career. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general biology program report for Augustana College Illinois

17

Benedictine University placed #17 among the best general biology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. Benedictine University graduates 50% of students within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 85 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. General Biology graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $29,215 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,278. Read more about the general biology program at Benedictine University

18

Eastern Illinois University landed the #18 spot for general biology this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 90 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $33,686. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at Eastern Illinois University

19
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #19 for general biology this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 21 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general biology degree from Aurora University earn around $32,691 in the first couple years of their career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,163 in student loans. Read more about the general biology program at Aurora University

20

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #20 spot for general biology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 26 general biology degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $50,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general biology program at Illinois Wesleyan University

21

Millikin University came in at #21 for general biology this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 16 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Millikin University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $58,852 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,631 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Millikin University

22

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #22 for general biology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 15 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $33,908. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general biology program at Olivet Nazarene University

23

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #23 for general biology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 35 general biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general biology program make about $33,882 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of Illinois At Springfield

24
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #24 for general biology this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 general biology students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general biology degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $35,948. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete this degree. Get the full general biology details for Lewis University

25

University Of St Francis ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general biology schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 16 general biology degrees were awarded at University Of St Francis in the most recent year. General Biology graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general biology from University Of St Francis

Rest of the Top 43 General Biology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general biology this year:

26
27
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
28
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
29
30
31
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
32
33
34
Blackburn College crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
35
36
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
37
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
38
39
40
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL
41
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
42
43

ADBLOCK #173
View All General Biology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options