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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for biological & physical sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,128. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $5,583. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $26,130. That is a strong return on a $5,583 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #3 place for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,115. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,750. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Carl Sandburg College came in at #6 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,604. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $48,534. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #7 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,965. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,203. Set against $8,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,470. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College placed #9 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $6,363. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $18,345 early in their careers. Set against $6,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #10 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,315. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $27,320. That is a strong return on a $8,315 median debt.
Triton College landed the #11 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $24,111 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College landed the #13 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,562. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,271. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $42,425 early in their careers. Set against $8,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,727. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Kankakee Community College landed the #16 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #17 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $30,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #18 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $26,939 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College placed #20 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $8,067. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $24,939. That is a strong return on a $8,067 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #21 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,833 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $37,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #22 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Harper College earn a median of $27,081 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #23 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #25 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,472 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $41,561. Set against $25,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & physical sciences value ranking:
Narrow Biological & Physical Sciences Schools by State
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
