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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

81 Ranked Colleges
11,380 Degrees Awarded
$4,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 81 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general studies programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

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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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #1 spot on the list. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 151 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $2,726 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend Harold Washington College.

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

2
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 #2 on our 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakland Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,665 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Full Oakland Community College General Studies Report

3
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #3 spot on the 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.

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. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,989 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid.

Full College of Lake County General Studies Report

4

Out of the 81 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #4 spot on the list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 175 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $2,482 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Full Wilbur Wright College General Studies Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 430 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,901 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend MVCC.

Read full report on General Studies at MVCC

6
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 56 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $5,104 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

7
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 134 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Joliet Junior College also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,609 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

8

William Rainey Harper College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 99 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,184 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.

Read more about General Studies at William Rainey Harper College

9
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. McHenry County College is a public institution located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $7,706 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid per year to attend MCC.

Full McHenry County College General Studies Report

10

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Cincinnati State also made our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is $5,532 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Cincinnati State

11
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lincoln Land Community College is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,027 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend LLCC.

Read full report on General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

12
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Washtenaw Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 1,371 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $3,624 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid.

Full Washtenaw Community College General Studies Report

13
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 214 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Henry Ford College is $3,194 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid.

Full Henry Ford College General Studies Report

14
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

Oakton Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,423 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid 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%.

Full Oakton Community College General Studies Report

15

Lewis and Clark Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small school located in Godfrey, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,972 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid per year to attend Lewis and Clark Community College.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College General Studies Report

16
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and it awarded 114 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

COD also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for COD is $6,382 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Full College of DuPage General Studies Report

17

With a ranking of #17, 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 Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 83 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Harry S Truman College is $3,672 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College General Studies Report

18
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Delta College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 200 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $4,268 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Delta College

19

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 184 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,274 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid.

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

20

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,897 for Great Lakes Region General Studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College.

Read full report on General Studies at Richard J Daley College

21
Macomb Community College crest
Macomb Community College
Warren, Michigan

With a ranking of #21, Macomb Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Macomb Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Warren, Michigan. It awarded 1,053 ’s general studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macomb Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Macomb Community College is $9,982 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Macomb Community College

22

Danville Area Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 DACC is $4,537 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Full Danville Area Community College General Studies Report

23
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Carl Sandburg College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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 yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $3,834 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

24
MCC crest
Mott Community College
Flint, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Mott Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. MCC is located in Flint, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 479 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $6,813 for great lakes region general studies students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Mott Community College General Studies Report

25
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, Illinois

Triton College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. River Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,816 for great lakes region general studies students with aid per year to attend Triton College.

Read full report on General Studies at Triton College

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