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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Illinois

34 Colleges in the United States
$24,734 Avg Student Debt
$60,155 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Badge [Biological & Biomedical Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & biomedical sciences education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools.

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2026 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & biomedical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Millikin University the best value for a degree in biological & biomedical sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $20,631 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. Set against $20,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

2

Students looking for strong value in biological & biomedical sciences will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $33,882. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in biological & biomedical sciences will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. 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 $15,590 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $31,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $23,630. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $42,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

5
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & biomedical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $43,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

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Saint Xavier University came in at #6 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,939 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $37,977. That is a strong return on a $26,939 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Western Illinois University came in at #7 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,585 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $40,936. That is a strong return on a $27,585 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northeastern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $14,031 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $40,392. Set against $14,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $22,396. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

Augustana College Illinois placed #10 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,807 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $36,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.

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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $22,725. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $29,784. That is a strong return on a $22,725 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

12

Eastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $33,686 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

13

Chicago State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $39,223 in student loans. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,477. That is a strong return on a $39,223 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.

14
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #14 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $25,117. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $26,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

University Of St Francis came in at #15 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $70,918. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #16 for value in biological & biomedical sciences 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. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $33,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $47,965. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College landed the #18 spot for biological & biomedical sciences value this year. 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. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,533. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $31,438. Set against $26,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

19
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #19 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $35,948. That is a strong return on a $26,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

20
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.

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North Park University earned the #21 position for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. 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 biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $27,000. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates of North Park University earn a median of $33,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.

22

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Biological & Biomedical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

23
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #23 among the best values for biological & biomedical sciences. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $24,163. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $32,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

24

Illinois State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & biomedical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete the biological & biomedical sciences program here. Early-career biological & biomedical sciences graduates make about $35,069. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

25

Roosevelt University came in at #25 for value in biological & biomedical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for biological & biomedical sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, biological & biomedical sciences degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $30,730. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Biological & Biomedical Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & biomedical sciences value ranking:

26
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
27
28
29
Blackburn College crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
30
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL
31
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
32
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
33
34
35
36
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
37
38
39
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
40
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
41
42

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 53 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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