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2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

80 Ranked Colleges
11,380 Degrees Awarded
Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 80 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,375 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UChicago.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.

Full UChicago General Studies Report

2

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 #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 151 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $4,829 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Harold Washington College

3
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 #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of Lake County, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,557 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Full College of Lake County General Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

U-M also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $10,481 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about General Studies at U-M

5
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Joliet Junior College landed the #5 spot on the list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. 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. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $6,645 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

6

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 175 ’s general studies 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. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $4,617 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College General Studies Report

7
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Oakland Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Oakland Community College is a public institution located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 309 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oakland Community College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $6,291 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Oakland Community College General Studies Report

8
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $7,028 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Waubonsee General Studies Report

9
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 199 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,539 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read full report on General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

10

With a ranking of #10, Moraine Valley Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution located in Palos Hills, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 430 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,844 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MVCC.

Full Moraine Valley Community College General Studies Report

11
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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 31 diplomas 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 estimated yearly cost for McHenry County College is $8,936 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at McHenry County College

12

William Rainey Harper 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 $48-$75k ranking. Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 99 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Harper College also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,346 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Harper College.

Full Harper College General Studies Report

13
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lincoln Land Community College is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 47 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

LLCC also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,985 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Lincoln Land Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

14
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Washtenaw Community College is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,371 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $5,466 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Washtenaw Community College

15
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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,853 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SSC.

Read full report on General Studies at SSC

16
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 200 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $6,141 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Delta College

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

With a ranking of #17, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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. It costs about $7,533 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k 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 more about General Studies at Oakton Community College

18
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Henry Ford College is located in Dearborn, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,971 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read more about General Studies at Henry Ford College

19

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school handed out 65 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cincinnati State is $6,934 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Cincinnati State

20

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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 51 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $4,003 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. 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 Malcolm X College is $5,452 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

22

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman 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 $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 83 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harry S Truman College is $5,205 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

23

Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Godfrey, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark Community College is $7,300 for great lakes region general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College General Studies Report

24

Richland Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Richland Community College is $7,395 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Richland Community College

25
GOCC crest
Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Glen Oaks Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Centreville, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 131 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,258 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Glen Oaks Community College.

Full Glen Oaks Community College General Studies Report

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