Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in Illinois

34 Ranked Colleges
2,651 Degrees Awarded
$5,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for an Associate in Illinois” 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. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 2,651 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for an Associate in Illinois” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies in Illinois

#1

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lincoln Land Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, LLCC has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $6,168 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Full Lincoln Land Community College General Studies Report

#2

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Joliet Junior College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 174 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#3

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 296 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, MVCC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $2,422 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full Moraine Valley Community College General Studies Report

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,735 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read more about General Studies at College of Lake County

#5

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Triton College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 125 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,988 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Triton College.

Read more about General Studies at Triton College

#6

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

College of DuPage ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. COD is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 138 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

COD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $7,566 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Read more about General Studies at COD

#7

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Illinois Central College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. ICC is a medium-sized school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 202 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,578 for illinois associate degree general studies students per year to attend ICC.

Full Illinois Central College General Studies Report

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 98 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $7,532 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Full William Rainey Harper College General Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 108 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,992 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#10

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Oakton Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $6,141 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Oakton Community College

#11

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

South Suburban College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, SSC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSC is $4,746 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at South Suburban College

#9 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 175 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

#13

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee is a medium-sized public school situated in Sugar Grove, Illinois. It awarded 73 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $5,130 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Waubonsee Community College

#14

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. DACC is a small public school situated in Danville, Illinois. It awarded 56 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

DACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Danville Area Community College is $5,399 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full Danville Area Community College General Studies Report

#15

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small public school handed out 191 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, Carl Sandburg College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Read more about General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

#16

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Prairie State College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Prairie State College is a small school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois that handed out 31 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, Prairie State College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Prairie State College is $7,669 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Prairie State College General Studies Report

#14 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 77 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

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

#18

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Black Hawk College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 12 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BHC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Black Hawk College is $5,706 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full BHC General Studies Report

#19

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. McHenry County College is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,048 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend McHenry County College.

Read full report on General Studies at MCC

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 129 students in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,689 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#21

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Shawnee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Ullin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

Shawnee Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $10,242 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students per year to attend Shawnee Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Shawnee Community College

#22

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Kankakee Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Kankakee Community College is a small public school situated in Kankakee, Illinois. It awarded 30 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kankakee Community College is $6,436 for Illinois Associate Degree General Studies students.

Full Kankakee Community College General Studies Report

#23

Parkland College

Champaign, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Parkland College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 113 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree general studies students list, Parkland College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Parkland College is $8,993 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Read full report on General Studies at Parkland College

#24

Frontier Community College

Fairfield, Illinois

Frontier Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Fairfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,629 for illinois associate degree general studies students per year to attend Frontier Community College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Frontier Community College General Studies Report

#23 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #25. Kennedy-King College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 28 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kennedy-King College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for illinois associate degree general studies students.

Full Kennedy-King College General Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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