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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

49 Ranked Colleges
984 Degrees Awarded
$21,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Biology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 102,043 general biology students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $28,233 and had an average of $23,964 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 12,471 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,353 and $25,097 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 984 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 49 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general biology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general biology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified masters’s biology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - La Crosse are $20,038, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse General Biology Report

#2

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 11 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Biology at Purdue University - Main Campus

#3

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 5 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Read more about General Biology at Michigan State University

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #4 spot on the list. Houghton, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan Technological University are $21,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Biology at Michigan Tech

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 4 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on General Biology at University of Notre Dame

#6

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Ball State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s biology degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Read more about General Biology at Ball State

#7

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, Indiana

Purdue University Northwest landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hammond, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue Northwest are $11,633, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Biology at Purdue Northwest

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s biology degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SIUE General Biology Report

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also made our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Biology at IUPUI

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s biology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Oshkosh are $18,744, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh General Biology Report

University of Wisconsin - Parkside landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Parkside is a small public school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Parkside are $18,768, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Parkside General Biology Report

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 14 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Biology at Northern Illinois University

#13

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Biology at GVSU

#14

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

Oakland University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Oakland is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s biology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oakland are $24,648, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oakland General Biology Report

With a ranking of #15, University of Michigan - Flint did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Flint General Biology Report

#16

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fort Wayne, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Fort Wayne are $14,618.

Read full report on General Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne

#17

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Central Michigan University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Biology at Central Michigan

#22 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago General Biology Report

#19

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield General Biology Report

#20

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 masters’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Read more about General Biology at EIU

#21

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Michigan University are $13,660, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Biology at Northern Michigan University

#22

Marian University

Indianapolis, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Marian University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marian University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 47 masters’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Marian has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marian University are $19,720.

Read full report on General Biology at Marian

#23

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Illinois State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s biology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069.

Read full report on General Biology at Illinois State University

#24

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified masters’s biology students in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Biology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Biology at Western Michigan University

#25

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346.

Full Indiana State University General Biology Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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