2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
129
Ranked Colleges
11,339
Degrees Awarded
$7,400
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Biology Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 6th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 95,999 degrees were awarded to students with this major.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 11,339 biology studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 129 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in biology studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great biology studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the biology studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Biology Studies Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Biology Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 122 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,500 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Chicago.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at UChicago
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 127 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also took the #5 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $245 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Northwestern Biology Studies Report
Out of the 129 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 491 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Out of the 129 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #4 spot on the list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 244 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.
U-M also took the #6 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,670 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Out of the 129 schools in the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 144 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at Purdue University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #6, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 478 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $6,927 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Michigan State University
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 291 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $5,752 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Biology Studies at IU Bloomington
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 457 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $7,068 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Biology Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 264 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - La Crosse also took the #15 spot in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $7,517 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at UW - La Crosse
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 193 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Oberlin College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Oberlin, Ohio, and it awarded 50 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Oberlin has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,756 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oberlin College.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Oberlin
Grand Valley State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GVSU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Grand Valley State University
University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $9,872 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Biology Studies at University of Notre Dame
University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 466 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $10,549 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 71 degrees to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UW - River Falls also did well on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $8,438 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UW - River Falls Biology Studies Report
With a ranking of #16, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 140 ’s biological sciences degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $8,949 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at Oakland University
Ball State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Biology Studies at Ball State University
Michigan Technological University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan Tech is a medium-sized school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 30 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Michigan Tech is $5,520 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Michigan Tech
Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 317 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Miami University - Oxford
Purdue University Northwest came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 71 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $6,775 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Biology Studies at Purdue University Northwest
University of Wisconsin - Parkside came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Parkside is a small public school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 36 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $6,741 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Parkside Biology Studies Report
Indiana University - South Bend landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,504 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.
Full Indiana University - South Bend Biology Studies Report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological sciences degrees to 162 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Biology Studies at SIUE
With a ranking of #24, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 254 ’s biological sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Biology Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for great lakes region biological sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Biology Studies at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
With a ranking of #25, Indiana University - Southeast did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in New Albany, Indiana, this small public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s biological sciences students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,587 for Great Lakes Region Biological Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Full Indiana University - Southeast Biology Studies Report
