Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

39 Ranked Colleges
2,959 Degrees Awarded
Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 133,583 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, general studies is the 5th most popular major in the United States.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 39 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students 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 $7,934 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read more about General Studies at University of Chicago

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #2 spot on the list. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $6,232 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read full report on General Studies at College of Lake County

#3

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 #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 296 students in 2019-2020.

MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for MVCC is $5,411 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Moraine Valley Community College General Studies Report

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 Illinois 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 108 ’s 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 $5,208 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $4,911 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#6

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 174 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $4,482 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#7

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Palatine, Illinois, and it awarded 98 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $9,539 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Harper College

#8

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 125 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $7,436 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Triton College

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 96 ’s general studies 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 $7,895 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

#17 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harry S Truman College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $7,105 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#11

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. COD is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 138 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $9,558 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full COD General Studies Report

#12

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 79 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Waubonsee has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $6,779 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee

#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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 129 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College also took the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $5,988 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Malcolm X College General Studies Report

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Des Plaines, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $8,152 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakton Community College

#15

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 191 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

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 $2,729 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

#16

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Suburban College is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, SSC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,258 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SSC.

Full SSC General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $5,247 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $6,390 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Olive-Harvey College

#19

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Crystal Lake, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $8,060 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MCC General Studies Report

#20

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Black Hawk College is a small school located in Moline, Illinois that handed out 12 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend BHC is $7,007 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Black Hawk College

#21

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. ICC is a public institution located in East Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ICC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,138 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ICC.

Read full report on General Studies at Illinois Central 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 $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kankakee Community College is $8,158 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Studies at Kankakee Community College

#23

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. DACC is a small school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 56 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DACC, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Danville Area Community College is $7,443 for Illinois General Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Danville Area Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is $7,737 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Studies at Kennedy-King College

Illinois Valley Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois Valley Community College is located in Oglesby, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Valley Community College is $8,577 for illinois general studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Illinois Valley Community College General Studies Report

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