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Best Colleges for Biology in Illinois

The best colleges for a Biology degree in Illinois, led by Northwestern University, University of Chicago and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Each school is shown with its acceptance rate, tuition, and average SAT so you can weigh Biology programs side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college for Biology in Illinois?

Based on our rankings, Northwestern University is the top-ranked college for Biology in Illinois. Other top choices include University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago.

What are the best Biology schools?

The best Biology schools, based on program-specific federal data including median earnings and graduate counts, are Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Our rankings use College Scorecard field-of-study data rather than editorial opinion.

How much does it cost to study Biology?

The average out-of-state tuition among top Biology programs is approximately $39,116 per year. However, costs vary significantly — many schools offer generous financial aid packages that can reduce the effective cost.

How long does it take to get a Biology degree?

A bachelor's degree in Biology typically takes four years of full-time study. Some programs offer accelerated tracks or combined bachelor's-to-master's options that can extend or shorten the timeline.

How are these Biology rankings determined?

Our major rankings are independently calculated from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study (CIP) data — primarily median earnings 4 years after graduation and program scale (graduate count), with a 10+ annual graduates minimum per program. They are not derived from US News or any other publication.

Career outcomes for Biology graduates

Among the top 10 ranked Biology programs, the average early-career salary is approximately $68,812 per year. Below are the highest-paying Biology programs based on federal College Scorecard earnings data reported by graduates four years after completion.

  1. 1. Northwestern University — Evanston, IL · 7.7% acceptance · SAT 1,533 · $68,322 tuition · 95% grad rate
  2. 2. University of Chicago — Chicago, IL · 4.5% acceptance · SAT 1,554 · $70,662 tuition · 96% grad rate
  3. 3. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Champaign, IL · 42.4% acceptance · SAT 1,440 · $35,124 tuition · 85% grad rate
  4. 4. Loyola University Chicago — Chicago, IL · 81.6% acceptance · SAT 1,297 · $53,710 tuition · 73% grad rate
  5. 5. DePaul University — Chicago, IL · 75.9% acceptance · SAT 1,262 · $45,999 tuition · 68% grad rate
  6. 6. University of St Francis — Joliet, IL · 65.3% acceptance · SAT 1,141 · $38,110 tuition · 67% grad rate
  7. 7. Augustana College — Rock Island, IL · 62.7% acceptance · SAT 1,165 · $51,598 tuition · 73% grad rate
  8. 8. Western Illinois University — Macomb, IL · 71.2% acceptance · $15,264 tuition · 45% grad rate
  9. 9. Millikin University — Decatur, IL · 66.7% acceptance · SAT 1,034 · $26,892 tuition · 55% grad rate
  10. 10. Olivet Nazarene University — Bourbonnais, IL · 55.9% acceptance · SAT 1,117 · $38,900 tuition · 61% grad rate
  11. 11. Illinois Wesleyan University — Bloomington, IL · 39.3% acceptance · SAT 1,275 · $57,704 tuition · 75% grad rate
  12. 12. Lewis University — Romeoville, IL · 71.3% acceptance · SAT 1,096 · $39,200 tuition · 67% grad rate
  13. 13. North Park University — Chicago, IL · 68.5% acceptance · $36,710 tuition · 58% grad rate
  14. 14. McKendree University — Lebanon, IL · 71.7% acceptance · $34,740 tuition · 53% grad rate
  15. 15. Northern Illinois University — Dekalb, IL · 69.8% acceptance · $13,248 tuition · 49% grad rate
  16. 16. Northeastern Illinois University — Chicago, IL · 74.6% acceptance · $22,726 tuition · 22% grad rate
  17. 17. Eastern Illinois University — Charleston, IL · 65.4% acceptance · SAT 1,000 · $16,217 tuition · 47% grad rate
  18. 18. Illinois College — Jacksonville, IL · 78.2% acceptance · SAT 1,064 · $38,676 tuition · 64% grad rate
  19. 19. Elmhurst University — Elmhurst, IL · 73.6% acceptance · SAT 1,151 · $42,955 tuition · 70% grad rate
  20. 20. Lake Forest College — Lake Forest, IL · 56.8% acceptance · SAT 1,343 · $56,402 tuition · 78% grad rate
  21. 21. Knox College — Galesburg, IL · 70.8% acceptance · SAT 1,326 · $57,903 tuition · 68% grad rate
  22. 22. Chicago State University — Chicago, IL · 43.3% acceptance · $12,754 tuition · 15% grad rate
  23. 23. Benedictine University — Lisle, IL · 95.2% acceptance · $35,940 tuition · 50% grad rate
  24. 24. Dominican University — River Forest, IL · 90.3% acceptance · SAT 1,002 · $38,978 tuition · 55% grad rate
  25. 25. Aurora University — Aurora, IL · 80.9% acceptance · SAT 1,076 · $29,170 tuition · 60% grad rate

Best Colleges for Biology in Illinois on PickACampus