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

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Our analysis ranked Purdue University Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in biological & physical science. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 20 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Purdue University Main Campus

2

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science 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. About 77 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $75,418. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for University Of Notre Dame

3

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in biological & physical science, ranking #3. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 135 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $37,724. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $7,833 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical science program at College Of Lake County

4

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $54,166 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Michigan State University

5

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Students looking for a strong biological & physical science program will find one at Elgin Community College, which ranked #5. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. About 193 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. See the full biological & physical science program report for Elgin Community College

6

Indiana University Kokomo
Kokomo, IN

Indiana University Kokomo placed #6 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Indiana University Kokomo awarded about 10 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $41,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,472. Get the full biological & physical science details for Indiana University Kokomo

7

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #7 for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. There were roughly 401 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science 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. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Harper College

8

Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College came in at #8 for biological & physical science 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 science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $24,939 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,067 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for Waubonsee Community College

9

Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College earned the #9 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. About 155 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $28,614. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. Read more about the biological & physical science program at Mchenry County College

10

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College placed #10 among the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Southwestern Illinois College awarded about 114 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $29,678. Typical student debt for the program is $6,196. See the full biological & physical science program report for Southwestern Illinois College

11

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 132 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,115. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical science program at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

12

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College placed #12 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 39 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Richland Community College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete this degree. Read more about the biological & physical science program at Richland Community College

13

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 10 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $44,525 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full biological & physical science details for Grand Valley State University

14

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical science this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. There were roughly 51 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Oakton Community College

15

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College earned the #15 position for biological & physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. There were roughly 46 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Lake Land College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Lake Land College graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Get the full biological & physical science details for Lake Land College

16

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for biological & physical science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 281 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $23,128 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for Moraine Valley Community College

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. About 27 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn around $26,939 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College

18

Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College placed #18 among the best biological & physical science schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 176 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $21,956. Rock Valley College graduates carry a median of $6,632 in student loans. See the full biological & physical science program report for Rock Valley College

19

Rend Lake College
Ina, IL

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

20

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College landed the #20 spot for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Joliet Junior College awarded about 118 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $30,509. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for Joliet Junior College

21

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Whiting, IN

Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #21 among the best biological & physical science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Whiting. About 22% of students finish within six years. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph awarded about 13 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Calumet College Of Saint Joseph earn around $66,716 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,428 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for Calumet College Of Saint Joseph

22

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #22 position for biological & physical science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 102 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $30,203. Students borrow a median of $8,965 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #23 spot for biological & physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 143 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn around $27,451 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

24

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College came in at #24 for biological & physical science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Oglesby. Illinois Valley Community College awarded about 114 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $18,345 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,363. See the full biological & physical science program report for Illinois Valley Community College

25

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #25 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 80 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $27,320 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,315. Read more about the biological & physical science program at Lewis And Clark Community College