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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

20 Colleges in the United States
$26,682 Avg Student Debt
$55,586 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biology Education Badge [Biology Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/biology-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biology education education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biology education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Biology Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biology education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Biology Education Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $21,500. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for biology education. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $27,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in biology education will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. 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 biology education graduates is $26,746. Biology Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Set against $26,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Millikin University earned it the #4 place for biology education. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Biology Education graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biology education, landing the #5 spot this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $24,998. Biology Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

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6

Indiana University South Bend placed #6 among the best values for biology education. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.

7

Augustana College Illinois placed #7 among the best values for biology education. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Biology Education graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $45,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

8

Youngstown State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,751. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #9 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,816. That is a strong return on a $21,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $29,076. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,977. Set against $29,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #12 among the best values for biology education. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $32,807. Early-career biology education graduates make about $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.

13
Alverno College crest
Alverno College
Milwaukee, WI

Alverno College landed the #13 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Alverno College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,086 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,425 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Alverno College earn a median of $55,790 early in their careers. Set against $34,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14
Trinity Christian College crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College landed the #14 spot for biology education value this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Students from in state pay about $20,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $44,538. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.

15

Concordia University Chicago placed #15 among the best values for biology education. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,796. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Illinois State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biology education schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $50,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

17
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College came in at #17 for value in biology education this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $26,047. Biology Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northern Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for biology education. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $27,000. Early-career biology education graduates make about $48,767. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

19

Eastern Michigan University placed #19 among the best values for biology education. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $46,732 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

20

University Of Evansville landed the #20 spot for biology education value this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,172. Typical student debt for biology education graduates is $25,234. Early-career biology education graduates make about $59,618. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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21

Western Michigan University came in at #21 for value in biology education this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22

Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #22 for value in biology education this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Students from in state pay about $29,645 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $42,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,211 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #23 for value in biology education this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Early-career biology education graduates make about $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

24
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University came in at #24 for value in biology education this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the biology education program here. Biology Education graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

25

Heidelberg University landed the #25 spot for biology education value this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,600. Biology Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biology education degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Heidelberg University admits about 86% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Biology Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biology education:

26
Adrian College crest
Adrian College
Adrian, MI
27
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI
28
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI
29
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
30
31
32
33
34
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN
35
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
36
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
37
38
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
39
40
41
42
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
43

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 64 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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