Best Biology Programs in Illinois (2026)
Biology programs in Illinois are often the gateway to medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and biomedical research. The schools below are ranked by Biology program strength, MCAT/GRE prep support, and net price.
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#1
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$34,420/yr
Median Earnings
$104,255
Grad Rate
96%
Biology Share
9.9%
#2
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$16,776/yr
Median Earnings
$103,872
Grad Rate
95%
Biology Share
7.9%
#3
National University of Health Sciences
Lombard, IL
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$54,747
Grad Rate
—
Biology Share
100.0%
#4
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$13,042/yr
Median Earnings
$87,599
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
5.5%
#5
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,340/yr
Median Earnings
$78,431
Grad Rate
73%
Biology Share
14.4%
#6
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$27,863/yr
Median Earnings
$76,193
Grad Rate
74%
Biology Share
13.8%
#7
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$22,443/yr
Median Earnings
$90,804
Grad Rate
73%
Biology Share
3.3%
#8
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$21,153/yr
Median Earnings
$67,144
Grad Rate
73%
Biology Share
21.0%
#9
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,059/yr
Median Earnings
$68,390
Grad Rate
83%
Biology Share
11.5%
#10
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$24,987/yr
Median Earnings
$70,470
Grad Rate
75%
Biology Share
14.3%
#11
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,469/yr
Median Earnings
$76,013
Grad Rate
75%
Biology Share
5.1%
#12
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$9,540/yr
Median Earnings
$73,666
Grad Rate
62%
Biology Share
10.1%
#13
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$27,108/yr
Median Earnings
$75,602
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
2.9%
#14
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
Net Price
$19,292/yr
Median Earnings
$56,244
Grad Rate
70%
Biology Share
12.3%
#15
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$15,961/yr
Median Earnings
$69,137
Grad Rate
65%
Biology Share
5.4%
#16
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$18,910/yr
Median Earnings
$67,314
Grad Rate
47%
Biology Share
19.7%
#17
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$23,165/yr
Median Earnings
$67,398
Grad Rate
67%
Biology Share
4.7%
#18
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
Net Price
$18,763/yr
Median Earnings
$57,546
Grad Rate
62%
Biology Share
14.9%
#19
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$17,829/yr
Median Earnings
$67,557
Grad Rate
66%
Biology Share
2.8%
#20
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$14,013/yr
Median Earnings
$66,693
Grad Rate
58%
Biology Share
8.7%
#21
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$22,836/yr
Median Earnings
$65,646
Grad Rate
63%
Biology Share
5.7%
#22
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,171/yr
Median Earnings
$64,661
Grad Rate
56%
Biology Share
8.7%
#23
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL
Net Price
$15,155/yr
Median Earnings
$60,507
Grad Rate
61%
Biology Share
6.5%
#24
Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL
Net Price
$19,978/yr
Median Earnings
$58,865
Grad Rate
60%
Biology Share
7.0%
#25
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
Net Price
$19,385/yr
Median Earnings
$64,180
Grad Rate
60%
Biology Share
2.0%
Why a Biology degree?
Biology is the standard pre-med major. Research opportunities and pre-health advising at the undergraduate level meaningfully affect medical school admission rates.
Common career paths: Pre-Med (with med school) · Biomedical Researcher · Genetic Counselor · Pharmaceutical Scientist · Public Health Specialist
Typical starting salary range: $50,000–$85,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
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