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2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

81 Ranked Colleges
11,380 Degrees Awarded
$3,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 129,869 general studies students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 11,380 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 81 colleges that offered a degree in general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $2,500 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UChicago.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Studies at University of Chicago

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Studies at U-M

3
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large school located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan that handed out 309 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $1,464 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Full Oakland Community College General Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 151 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,045 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read more about General Studies at Harold Washington College

5

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 430 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $-210 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

Read full report on General Studies at Moraine Valley Community College

6
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Waubonsee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $2,249 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Waubonsee Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee

7
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

College of Lake County ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of Lake County is a fairly large school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $3,802 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County

8

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 175 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $1,736 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

Full Wilbur Wright College General Studies Report

9
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 1,371 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $1,892 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Washtenaw Community College

10
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, LLCC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LLCC is $3,925 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at LLCC

11

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harper College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $5,504 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at William Rainey Harper College

12
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 200 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $2,178 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Delta College

13

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a medium-sized school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 65 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $3,610 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Cincinnati State

14

With a ranking of #14, Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Godfrey, Illinois, this small public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark Community College is $4,423 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Lewis and Clark Community College

15
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 134 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Joliet Junior College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,304 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

16
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Henry Ford College is a fairly large public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 214 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,310 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read full report on General Studies at Henry Ford College

17
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Des Plaines, Illinois. It awarded 10 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakton Community College also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $5,638 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakton Community College General Studies Report

18
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

MCC also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $6,245 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full MCC General Studies Report

19
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of DuPage is $3,797 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at COD

20

With a ranking of #20, City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,380 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College

21
SSC crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Suburban College is a small school located in South Holland, Illinois that handed out 48 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,654 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SSC.

Full SSC General Studies Report

22

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 184 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $2,968 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

23

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harry S Truman College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $3,222 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Harry S Truman College

24
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 199 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $2,816 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

25

Danville Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Danville, Illinois, this small public school handed out 49 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Danville Area Community College is $3,033 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full DACC General Studies Report

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