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2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

80 Ranked Colleges
11,380 Degrees Awarded
$4,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 80 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $4,777 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Studies at UChicago

2

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #2 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 151 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harold Washington College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $3,200 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $5,670 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Studies at U-M

4
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 #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $2,762 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakland Community College

5
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, College of Lake County has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,248 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County

6

Moraine Valley Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 430 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $896 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MVCC.

Full Moraine Valley Community College General Studies Report

7
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 56 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,782 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Waubonsee.

Full Waubonsee Community College General Studies Report

8

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,801 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

Read full report on General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

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

With a ranking of #9, Washtenaw Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 1,371 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $3,376 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Washtenaw Community College General Studies Report

10
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 134 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Joliet Junior College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $5,045 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Full Joliet Junior College General Studies Report

11

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State also took the #22 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $4,880 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

12
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 47 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

LLCC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $5,080 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lincoln Land Community College General Studies Report

13
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Delta College is a medium-sized school located in University Center, Michigan that handed out 200 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,988 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Delta College.

Read full report on General Studies at Delta College

14

With a ranking of #14, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Harper College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend William Rainey Harper College is $6,398 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Harper College General Studies Report

15
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 214 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Henry Ford College is $3,019 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Studies at Henry Ford College

16
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,250 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Carl Sandburg College General Studies Report

17

Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Lewis and Clark Community College is a public institution located in Godfrey, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,906 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lewis and Clark Community College.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College General Studies Report

18

With a ranking of #18, City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 83 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,425 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

19
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 31 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, MCC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $7,063 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full MCC General Studies Report

20
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 10 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,739 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakton Community College

21

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 184 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,428 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College General Studies Report

22

With a ranking of #22, 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 $30-$48k list. Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 51 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,367 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

23
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Triton College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Triton College is a medium-sized public school situated in River Grove, Illinois. It awarded 93 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,859 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Triton College General Studies Report

24
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 114 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

COD also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend COD is $4,907 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full COD General Studies Report

25
SSC crest
South Suburban College
South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. South Suburban College is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,103 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Suburban College.

Full South Suburban College General Studies Report

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