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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

40 Colleges in the United States
4,506 Biological & Physical Sciences Degrees Awarded
$37,892 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biological & Physical Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 78 schools to find the best for biological & physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biological & Physical Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall biological & physical sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Biological & Physical Sciences

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in biological & physical sciences. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 20 biological & physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,844. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Purdue University Main Campus

2

University Of Notre Dame came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 77 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $75,418 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full biological & physical sciences details for University Of Notre Dame

3

A rank of #3 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for biological & physical sciences. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 135 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $37,724 in their early career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $7,833 in student loans. Get the full biological & physical sciences details for College Of Lake County

4
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Students looking for a strong biological & physical sciences program will find one at Michigan State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 biological & physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $54,166 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Michigan State University

5

Elgin Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biological & physical sciences, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. About 193 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Elgin Community College

6

Indiana University Kokomo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 10 biological & physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Kokomo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $41,561. Indiana University Kokomo graduates carry a median of $25,472 in student loans. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for Indiana University Kokomo

7
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #7 among the best biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. About 401 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Harper College earn around $27,081 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at Harper College

8

Waubonsee Community College came in at #8 for biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 261 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Waubonsee Community College earn around $24,939 in the first couple years of their career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $8,067 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Waubonsee Community College

9
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College came in at #9 for biological & physical sciences this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Mchenry County College awarded about 155 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $28,614 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Mchenry County College

10

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 114 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Southwestern Illinois College earn around $29,678 in the first couple years of their career. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $6,196 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at Southwestern Illinois College

11

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #11 position for biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 132 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $33,115 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

12

Richland Community College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 39 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Richland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Richland Community College earn around $46,233 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for Richland Community College

13

Grand Valley State University landed the #13 spot for biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 10 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $44,525. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at Grand Valley State University

14
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Oakton Community College awarded about 51 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Oakton Community College earn around $48,838 in the first couple years of their career. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Get the full biological & physical sciences details for Oakton Community College

15
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 46 biological & physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Lake Land College earn around $30,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from Lake Land College

16

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. About 281 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $23,128 in the first couple years of their career. Moraine Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at Moraine Valley Community College

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College landed the #17 spot for biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. About 27 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $26,939. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College

18
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College came in at #18 for biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Rock Valley College awarded about 176 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical sciences degree from Rock Valley College earn around $21,956 in the first couple years of their career. Rock Valley College graduates carry a median of $6,632 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at Rock Valley College

19

Rend Lake College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 108 biological & physical sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rend Lake College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $24,444. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for Rend Lake College

20

Joliet Junior College earned the #20 position for biological & physical sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 118 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $30,509. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Get the full biological & physical sciences details for Joliet Junior College

21

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earned the #21 position for biological & physical sciences this year. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Whiting. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph awarded about 13 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn a median of $66,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,428. Get the full biological & physical sciences details for Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

22

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #22 for biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. About 102 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,203 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,965 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biological & physical sciences from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #23 among the best biological & physical sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 143 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical sciences program at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

24

Illinois Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for biological & physical sciences this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Oglesby. Illinois Valley Community College awarded about 114 biological & physical sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $18,345 in their early career. Illinois Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $6,363 in student loans. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for Illinois Valley Community College

25

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #25 spot for biological & physical sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Godfrey. About 80 biological & physical sciences degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical sciences program make about $27,320 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,315. See the full biological & physical sciences program report for Lewis And Clark Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for biological & physical sciences this year:

26
27
28
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
29
30
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL
31
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
32
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
33
34
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
35
36
37
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
48
Lake Michigan College crest
Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI
49
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
50
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 78 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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