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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in Illinois

34 Colleges in the United States
$8,966 Avg Student Debt
$38,900 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Badge [Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical science students.

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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in Illinois

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

Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools

1

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. 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.

2

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $5,583. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $26,130. That is a strong return on a $5,583 median debt.

3
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,115. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College one of the best values for biological & physical science. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $27,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. 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, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,769. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.

7

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #7 spot for biological & physical science value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Danville Area Community College came in at #8 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.

9

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $6,363 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $18,345. That is a strong return on a $6,363 median debt.

10

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #10 among the best values for biological & physical science. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,315 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $27,320 early in their careers. Set against $8,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $10,984. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $29,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
South Suburban College crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

South Suburban College placed #12 among the best values for biological & physical science. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,271 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $42,425. That is a strong return on a $8,271 median debt.

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

14

Richland Community College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

15

Shawnee Community College came in at #15 for value in biological & physical science this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Kankakee Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. 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 science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.

17

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #17 for value in biological & physical science this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. 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 science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Highland Community College Freeport landed the #18 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.

19

Joliet Junior College came in at #19 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Elgin Community College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. 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. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College came in at #21 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $26,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College earned the #22 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $15,663. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $21,207. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

24

Waubonsee Community College earned the #24 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,067 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $24,939. Set against $8,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Southeastern Illinois College came in at #25 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,763.

Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical science this year:

26
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL
27
28
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
29
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL
30
31
32
33
34
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
35
36
37
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
38
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
39
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
40
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
41
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL
42
43
44

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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