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2027 Best General Education Schools in Illinois

10 Colleges in the United States
539 General Education Degrees Awarded
$46,772 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for general education students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Education in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Illinois.

Top Schools in General Education

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign tops our 2027 ranking of the best general education schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 220 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $62,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Lake Forest College graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 general education students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Lake Forest College earn around $41,168 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,661. See the full general education program report for Lake Forest College

3
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Illinois College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Illinois College graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Illinois College earn around $41,184 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois College graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Illinois College

4

Northern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 general education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,338 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,209. More information about a degree in general education from Northern Illinois University

5

A rank of #5 makes North Park University one of the top schools for general education. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 general education degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $57,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for North Park University

6

Western Illinois University came in at #6 for general education this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 general education students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Typical student debt for the program is $27,639. See the full general education program report for Western Illinois University

7

Mckendree University landed the #7 spot for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Mckendree University awarded about 44 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $50,945 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362. Get the full general education details for Mckendree University

8
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College earned the #8 position for general education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Greenville. Greenville College graduates 40% of students within six years. Greenville College awarded about 40 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $36,911 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,933 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Greenville College

9

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 94 general education degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $27,158. Typical student debt for the program is $11,458. See the full general education program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College

10
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University came in at #10 for general education this year. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Quincy University graduates 45% of students within six years. Quincy University awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $52,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Quincy University

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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