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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in Illinois

34 Colleges in the United States
4,311 Biological & Physical Science Degrees Awarded
$34,388 Avg Early-Career Salary

Biological & Physical Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 50 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best biological & physical science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Biological & Physical Science in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the biological & physical science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Biological & Physical Science

1

No school ranked higher than College Of Lake County this year for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. There were roughly 135 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from College Of Lake County earn around $37,724 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,833. Read more about the biological & physical science program at College Of Lake County

2

A rank of #2 makes Elgin Community College one of the top schools for biological & physical science. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. Elgin Community College awarded about 193 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data 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. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical science program at Elgin Community College

3
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. About 401 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $27,081 in their early career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. See the full biological & physical science program report for Harper College

4

Waubonsee Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 261 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $24,939. Typical student debt for the program is $8,067. See the full biological & physical science program report for Waubonsee Community College

5
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. There were roughly 155 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $28,614 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. See the full biological & physical science program report for Mchenry County College

6

Southwestern Illinois College placed #6 among the best biological & physical science schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 114 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science 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. Get the full biological & physical science details for Southwestern Illinois College

7

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned the #7 position for biological & physical science this year. 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. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $33,115 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. See the full biological & physical science program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

8

Richland Community College landed the #8 spot for biological & physical science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Decatur. About 39 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Richland Community College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. Get the full biological & physical science details for Richland Community College

9
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #9 for biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Oakton Community College awarded about 51 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science 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. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Oakton Community College

10
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #10 spot for biological & physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Mattoon. About 46 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Lake Land College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Lake Land College earn around $30,294 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,769. See the full biological & physical science program report for Lake Land College

11

Moraine Valley Community College placed #11 among the best biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. See the full biological & physical science program report for Moraine Valley Community College

12

City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #12 position for biological & physical science this year. 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. Get the full biological & physical science details for City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College

13
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College placed #13 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. About 176 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science 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. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Rock Valley College

14

Rend Lake College landed the #14 spot for biological & physical science this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Rend Lake College awarded about 108 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Rend Lake College earn around $24,444 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Rend Lake College

15

Joliet Junior College landed the #15 spot for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 118 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $30,509 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical science program report for Joliet Junior College

16

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #16 spot for biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. There were roughly 102 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn around $30,203 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,965 to complete this degree. Get the full biological & physical science details for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #17 position for biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College awarded about 143 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $27,451 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the biological & physical science program at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College

18

Illinois Valley Community College placed #18 among the best biological & physical science schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Oglesby. About 114 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science 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 science program report for Illinois Valley Community College

19

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #19 spot for biological & physical science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 80 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $27,320. Students borrow a median of $8,315 to complete this degree. See the full biological & physical science program report for Lewis And Clark Community College

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #20 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. There were roughly 132 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $26,130. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Get the full biological & physical science details for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College

21

Black Hawk College placed #21 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. About 69 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Black Hawk College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biological & physical science program make about $44,286 in their early career. Black Hawk College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full biological & physical science program report for Black Hawk College

22

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical science this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. About 23 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent year. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,434. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

23
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College placed #23 among the best biological & physical science schools. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. About 140 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $26,547. Parkland College graduates carry a median of $8,628 in student loans. More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Parkland College

24
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #24 among the best biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 232 biological & physical science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from College Of Dupage earn around $22,654 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $10,664 in student loans. Read more about the biological & physical science program at College Of Dupage

25
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL

Morton College earned the #25 position for biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. About 107 biological & physical science degrees were awarded at Morton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their biological & physical science degree from Morton College earn around $22,435 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000. See the full biological & physical science program report for Morton College

Rest of the Top 44 Biological & Physical Science Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s biological & physical science ranking:

26
27
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
28
29
30
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
41
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
42
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
43
44
South Suburban College crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, IL

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 50 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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