2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 137 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $22,700. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #5 place for general studies. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #6 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,734. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $29,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,665. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,055. That is a strong return on a $14,665 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $27,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,759 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $39,727. That is a strong return on a $20,759 median debt.
Rock Valley College earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,035 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $7,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $27,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $27,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,721. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Shore Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Scottville, West Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,387. General Studies graduates of West Shore Community College earn a median of $25,852 early in their careers. Set against $9,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College earned the #20 position for value in general studies this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $12,060 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $26,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe County Community College placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,759 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $30,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kishwaukee College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Suburban College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. General Studies graduates of South Suburban College earn a median of $28,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Danville Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $28,045. Set against $7,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $15,338 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $15,338 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
