Best colleges for Biochemistry in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago and Loyola University Chicago award the most Biochemistry degrees in Illinois: 71, 58 and 30 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Illinois colleges offer Biochemistry and award 291 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biochemistry program, officially titled Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. This interdisciplinary field combines principles from both chemistry and…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,487 | 30 | 73% | $33,454 | $25,000 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,308 | 58 | 62% | — | $15,000 |
| 3 | Augustana College Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,436 | 6 | 73% | $14,960 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Biochemistry degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign Public | 71 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 58 | $34,308 |
| 3 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 30 | $38,487 |
| 4 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | Benedictine University Lisle Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | North Park University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 16 Illinois colleges offering Biochemistry
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University - Carbondale | Carbondale | Public | 8 |
| Knox College | Galesburg | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Illinois College | Jacksonville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| North Central College | Naperville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of St Francis | Joliet | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Lewis University | Romeoville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Monmouth College | Monmouth | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Rockford University | Rockford | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield | Public | 2 |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Biochemists and Biophysicists (SOC 19-1021).
Top skills
What Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biochemistry programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Biochemistry degrees?+
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (71 graduates a year), University of Illinois Chicago (58 graduates a year) and Loyola University Chicago (30 graduates a year) award the most Biochemistry degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Illinois colleges offer Biochemistry.
Which Biochemistry program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Loyola University Chicago tops the list at $38,487. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Biochemists and Biophysicists earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Biochemists and Biophysicists in Illinois is $102,640 (median $87,010), across about 150 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biochemistry program?+
The Biochemistry program, officially titled Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, focuses on the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. This interdisciplinary field combines principles from both chemistry and…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Biochemists and Biophysicists?+
The national job outlook is about +5.8% growth with around 2,900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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