2023 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Biological & Physical Science School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, biological and physical science was ranked #38 in the country. In fact 30,075 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 33 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for biological science students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Top 10 Best Biological & Physical Science Schools
Our analysis found Southwestern Illinois College to be the best value school for biological and physical science students who want to pursue a degree in the Great Lakes Region . Located in the suburb of Belleville, SWIC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SWIC are $5,940 a year. On average, biological science graduates from SWIC take out $7,698 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at Southwestern Illinois College
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the midsize city of Elgin, ECC is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
ECC undergraduate students pay an average of $9,516 in tuition and fees each year. On average, biological science graduates from ECC take out $7,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Biological & Physical Science at Elgin Community College Report
Request Information
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Highland Community College is a great value for biological and physical science students. Located in the distant town of Freeport, Highland Community College is a public college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Highland Community College are $6,846 per year.
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Waubonsee Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Waubonsee is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove.
Waubonsee undergraduate students pay an average of $10,076 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that biological science majors at Waubonsee take out is $7,395.
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William Rainey Harper College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Harper College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,682 in tuition and fees each year. Biological Science majors at Harper College take out an average of $8,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Harper College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list.
Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at William Rainey Harper College
Request Information
John Wood Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at John Wood Community College are $8,190 a year. The average amount in student loans that biological science majors at John Wood Community College take out is $9,250.
Read full report on Biological & Physical Science at John Wood Community College
Request Information
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Chicago, Richard J Daley College is a public school with a small student population.
Richard J Daley College undergraduate students pay an average of $14,430 in tuition and fees each year. On average, biological science graduates from Richard J Daley College take out $6,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
Request Information
Moraine Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for biological and physical science students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, MVCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MVCC are $9,334 a year. After completing their degree, biological science graduates from MVCC carry an average student debtload of $7,500.
Request Information
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. LLCC is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Springfield.
LLCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,068 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, biological science graduates from LLCC carry an average student debtload of $8,215.
Full Biological & Physical Science at Lincoln Land Community College Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #10, Joliet Junior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for biological and physical science students. Located in the large suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Joliet Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $13,410 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, biological science graduates from Joliet Junior College carry an average student debtload of $7,738.
Full Biological & Physical Science at Joliet Junior College Report
Request InformationBest Biological & Physical Science Colleges by State
Explore the best biological and physical science schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 87 |
| Ohio | 9 |
| Illinois | 4,791 |
| Indiana | 118 |
| Wisconsin | 19 |
More Biological & Physical Science Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Majors Related to Biological Science
One of 44 majors within the area of study, biological and physical science has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Biological Science
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
| Behavioral Science | 4,169 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- 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 the rest 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© 2025 Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.