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