2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,250. General Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,372. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,800. General Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,915. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $27,529 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. That is a strong return on a $11,022 median debt.
South Suburban College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $28,465. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Kankakee Community College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, compared with $25,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,900 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,712. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.
Rock Valley College landed the #11 spot for general studies value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Students borrow a median of $7,035 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. 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. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. Students from in state pay about $6,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Kishwaukee College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Shawnee Community College earn a median of $23,403 early in their careers. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Area Community College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $15,437 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $34,909. That is a strong return on a $15,437 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,348. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,322. That is a strong return on a $9,348 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,066. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,269. That is a strong return on a $10,066 median debt.
Mchenry County College placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $19,740 early in their careers. Set against $6,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Black Hawk College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Moline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Black Hawk College generally make around $30,390. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,605. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
John A Logan College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,540. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,892. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $13,600 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,644. That is a strong return on a $13,600 median debt.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
