Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

39 Ranked Colleges
2,959 Degrees Awarded
$4,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 133,583 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 2,959 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 39 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

The general studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read full report on General Studies at University of Chicago

#2

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. MVCC is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 296 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $340 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MVCC.

Read more about General Studies at MVCC

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,127 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

Read more about General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of Lake County, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $3,742 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at College of Lake County

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 #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 108 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,452 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Harold Washington College

#6

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this large public school awarded 138 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, COD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for COD is $5,478 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full COD General Studies Report

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 79 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Waubonsee has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $2,818 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Waubonsee Community College General Studies Report

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 98 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,913 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.

Full Harper College General Studies Report

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 96 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $3,915 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full LLCC General Studies Report

#10

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,546 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Triton College General Studies Report

#11

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 174 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,699 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Full Joliet Junior College General Studies Report

#17 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harry S Truman College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Harry S Truman College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,404 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#19 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 129 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,251 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Malcolm X College.

Read more about General Studies at Malcolm X College

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

SSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Suburban College is $3,866 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SSC General Studies Report

#15

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. BHC is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BHC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Black Hawk College is $3,234 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at BHC

#16

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,195 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Full Oakton Community College General Studies Report

#17

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 191 students in 2019-2020.

Carl Sandburg College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $1,986 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

#18

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. East Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 202 students in 2019-2020.

ICC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Central College is $7,656 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Illinois Central College General Studies Report

#19

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Danville Area Community College is located in Danville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

DACC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for DACC is $4,416 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full DACC General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 52 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,310 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Richard J Daley College.

Read more about General Studies at Richard J Daley College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,115 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#22

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kankakee Community College is a small public school situated in Kankakee, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $5,202 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Kankakee Community College

#23

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 33 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $5,620 for illinois general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at McHenry County College

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Valley Community College is a small school located in Oglesby, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend IVCC is $4,715 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at IVCC

#25

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ullin, Illinois, this small public school awarded 57 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,196 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Shawnee Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Shawnee Community College

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Featured Liberal Arts Schools

Find Schools Near You