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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in Illinois (With Aid)

38 Ranked Colleges
2,863 Degrees Awarded
$17,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 102,043 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Illinois, there were 2,863 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,700 and $25,592 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 38 colleges that offer a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois biology students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology in Illinois (With Aid)

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 420 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students with aid list, UIC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $13,312 for illinois biology students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at UIC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $12,477 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Read more about General Biology at University of Illinois at Springfield

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 136 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $18,259 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Read full report on General Biology at NIU

#4

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Governors State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Governors State University is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,077 for illinois biology students with aid per year to attend GSU.

Full Governors State University General Biology Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $15,880 for illinois biology students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about General Biology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Xavier University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 39 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also took the #22 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $14,528 for illinois biology students with aid.

Read full report on General Biology at SXU

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 153 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students with aid list, SIUE has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,423 for Illinois Biology students with aid per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Read full report on General Biology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 83 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $14,607 for illinois biology students with aid.

Read more about General Biology at EIU

#9

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, University of St Francis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,538 for illinois biology students with aid per year to attend University of Saint Francis.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Saint Francis General Biology Report

#10

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,733 for illinois biology students with aid.

The 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 more about General Biology at Chicago State University

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 95 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,210 for illinois biology students with aid per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Read more about General Biology at Western Illinois University

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Aurora University is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $17,215 for illinois biology students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Aurora University General Biology Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,843 for Illinois Biology students with aid per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read full report on General Biology at Northeastern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,945 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale General Biology Report

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 131 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students with aid list, Illinois State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $20,895 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 General Biology at Illinois State

#16

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $16,562 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Read more about General Biology at Illinois College

#17

Blackburn College

Carlinville, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Blackburn College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Carlinville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Blackburn College is $15,993 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Full Blackburn General Biology Report

#18

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students with aid list, Dominican U has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,268 for Illinois Biology students with aid per year to attend Dominican University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Biology at Dominican University

#19

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Quincy U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Quincy, Illinois. It awarded 25 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,497 for Illinois Biology students with aid per year to attend Quincy U.

Read more about General Biology at Quincy University

#20

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Augustana is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rock Island, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $23,874 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Biology at Augustana

#21

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $21,331 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Millikin General Biology Report

#22

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $24,664 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about General Biology at Northwestern University

#23

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. It awarded 32 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois biology students with aid list, Elmhurst has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $21,485 for Illinois Biology students with aid per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Elmhurst

#24

North Park University

Chicago, Illinois

North Park University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Park University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for North Park University is $19,170 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Biology at North Park University

#25

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Biology Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Olivet Nazarene is a small school located in Bourbonnais, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s biology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $20,195 for Illinois Biology students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Olivet Nazarene General Biology Report

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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