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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

39 Ranked Colleges
2,959 Degrees Awarded
$5,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 133,583 general studies students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country.

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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 39 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Getting Aid”.

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 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 Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois general studies students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 296 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC also made our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $2,422 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend MVCC.

Full MVCC General Studies Report

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,735 for illinois general studies students with aid per year to attend College of Lake County.

Read more about General Studies at College of Lake County

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 108 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $2,992 for Illinois General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Harold Washington College

#12 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois 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. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 175 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students with aid list, Wilbur Wright College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,876 for illinois general studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

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

#5

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln Land Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. LLCC is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 96 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,168 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend Lincoln Land Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

#6

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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 with aid list, Waubonsee has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,130 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend Waubonsee Community College.

Full Waubonsee Community College General Studies Report

#7

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 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. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Illinois General Studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#17 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students with aid list, Harry S Truman College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for illinois general studies students with aid.

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

#8

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students with aid list, Triton College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,988 for Illinois General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Triton College

#10

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 98 degrees to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students with aid list, Harper College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,532 for illinois general studies students with aid per year to attend Harper College.

Read more about General Studies at William Rainey Harper College

#19 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 129 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Malcolm X College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,689 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full Malcolm X College General Studies Report

#11

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at COD, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,566 for illinois general studies students with aid per year to attend COD.

Read full report on General Studies at College of DuPage

#13

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Oakton Community College is a medium-sized school located in Des Plaines, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois general studies students with aid list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,141 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Read more about General Studies at Oakton Community College

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. SSC is a small public school situated in South Holland, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s general studies degrees 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 $4,746 for Illinois General Studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at South Suburban College

#15

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $7,048 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full MCC General Studies Report

#16

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. DACC 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend DACC is $5,399 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full DACC General Studies Report

#17

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Carl Sandburg College is a small public school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 191 ’s general studies degrees 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 yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Read more about General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full Olive-Harvey College General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. 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 estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College General Studies Report

#20

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Ullin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general studies degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,242 for illinois general studies students with aid per year to attend Shawnee Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Shawnee Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Full Kennedy-King College General Studies Report

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Black Hawk College 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. It costs about $5,706 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Full BHC General Studies Report

Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and it awarded 14 ’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,378 for Illinois General Studies students with aid per year to attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Full IVCC General Studies Report

#24

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. ICC is located in East Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 202 ’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

ICC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Central College is $9,578 for illinois general studies students with aid.

Read full report on General Studies at Illinois Central College

#25

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Kankakee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, this small public school handed out 30 diplomas to qualified ’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kankakee Community College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kankakee Community College is $6,436 for Illinois General Studies students with aid.

Full Kankakee 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.

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