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.
#1
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$14,860/yr
Median Earnings
$91,885
Grad Rate
95%
Biology Share
9.8%
#2
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Net Price
$29,167/yr
Median Earnings
$89,363
Grad Rate
96%
Biology Share
10.8%
#3
National University of Health Sciences
Lombard, IL
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$58,723
Grad Rate
—
Biology Share
100.0%
#4
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Net Price
$14,355/yr
Median Earnings
$81,054
Grad Rate
85%
Biology Share
6.0%
#5
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$36,079/yr
Median Earnings
$71,530
Grad Rate
75%
Biology Share
15.5%
#6
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL
Net Price
$22,736/yr
Median Earnings
$62,971
Grad Rate
76%
Biology Share
19.0%
#7
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL
Net Price
$28,199/yr
Median Earnings
$70,871
Grad Rate
78%
Biology Share
10.4%
#8
Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL
Net Price
$26,975/yr
Median Earnings
$63,756
Grad Rate
86%
Biology Share
9.8%
#9
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$18,425/yr
Median Earnings
$82,592
Grad Rate
74%
Biology Share
3.0%
#10
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL
Net Price
$28,673/yr
Median Earnings
$61,825
Grad Rate
74%
Biology Share
16.3%
#11
Bradley University
Peoria, IL
Net Price
$22,719/yr
Median Earnings
$66,852
Grad Rate
74%
Biology Share
4.5%
#12
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,974/yr
Median Earnings
$68,740
Grad Rate
61%
Biology Share
10.6%
#13
Benedictine University
Lisle, IL
Net Price
$22,313/yr
Median Earnings
$63,446
Grad Rate
51%
Biology Share
21.5%
#14
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$30,902/yr
Median Earnings
$68,751
Grad Rate
69%
Biology Share
2.8%
#15
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
Net Price
$18,298/yr
Median Earnings
$52,575
Grad Rate
63%
Biology Share
17.9%
#16
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Net Price
$21,044/yr
Median Earnings
$60,123
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
6.8%
#17
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
Net Price
$24,595/yr
Median Earnings
$54,820
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
10.7%
#18
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Net Price
$17,028/yr
Median Earnings
$66,099
Grad Rate
65%
Biology Share
3.9%
#19
University of St Francis
Joliet, IL
Net Price
$13,006/yr
Median Earnings
$63,926
Grad Rate
66%
Biology Share
4.7%
#20
Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
Net Price
$24,185/yr
Median Earnings
$61,462
Grad Rate
68%
Biology Share
5.1%
#21
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Net Price
$19,398/yr
Median Earnings
$62,117
Grad Rate
65%
Biology Share
3.0%
#22
North Park University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$16,948/yr
Median Earnings
$59,572
Grad Rate
57%
Biology Share
11.1%
#23
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
Net Price
$10,970/yr
Median Earnings
$58,656
Grad Rate
58%
Biology Share
10.1%
#24
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Net Price
$11,745/yr
Median Earnings
$60,327
Grad Rate
59%
Biology Share
6.6%
#25
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
Net Price
$18,460/yr
Median Earnings
$46,802
Grad Rate
55%
Biology Share
19.3%
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.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Illinois
Biology programs in other states
More college guides like this in your inbox
Weekly analysis of college costs, financial aid, transfer pathways, and career outcomes — for U.S. families.