2027 Best General Studies Schools in Illinois
General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools to find the best for general studies students.
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Best Schools for General Studies in Illinois
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in General Studies
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general studies. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 15 general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $26,094 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full general studies program report for University Of Chicago
Harper College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 141 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $27,619. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the top schools for general studies. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 108 general studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their general studies degree from College Of Dupage earn around $28,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
More information about a degree in general studies from College Of Dupage
College Of Lake County came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 14 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $6,687 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong general studies program will find one at Aurora University, which ranked #5. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $44,614. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Joliet Junior College came in at #6 for general studies this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 102 general studies degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,296 in their early career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans.
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Waubonsee Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Waubonsee Community College awarded about 58 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $27,597. Typical student debt for the program is $7,250.
See the full general studies program report for Waubonsee Community College
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 general studies degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $42,976 early in their careers. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
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Lincoln Land Community College placed #9 among the best general studies schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Lincoln Land Community College awarded about 15 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $34,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,022 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Lincoln Land Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 132 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $9,348 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Oakton Community College placed #11 among the best general studies schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Oakton Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Oakton Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Mchenry County College placed #12 among the best general studies schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. About 21 general studies degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $19,740 in their early career. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans.
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Illinois Central College placed #13 among the best general studies schools. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Illinois Central College awarded about 73 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Illinois Central College generally make around $29,845. Typical student debt for the program is $9,656.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #14 spot for general studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College awarded about 125 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,925.
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City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #15 spot for general studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College awarded about 52 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $32,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #16 among the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 221 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $34,644 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Triton College landed the #17 spot for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of River Grove. There were roughly 122 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Triton College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $27,342. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete this degree.
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Kankakee Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best general studies schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Kankakee. Kankakee Community College awarded about 24 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Kankakee Community College earn around $60,509 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,900.
More information about a degree in general studies from Kankakee Community College
Moraine Valley Community College placed #19 among the best general studies schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. There were roughly 372 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Moraine Valley Community College earn around $23,372 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750.
More information about a degree in general studies from Moraine Valley Community College
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #20 for general studies this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 11 general studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $22,700 in their early career. Illinois Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans.
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Carl Sandburg College earned the #21 position for general studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Galesburg. There were roughly 74 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Carl Sandburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general studies program make about $27,529 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general studies from Carl Sandburg College
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College placed #22 among the best general studies schools. This large public university is located in the town of Olney. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College awarded about 49 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn around $21,307 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,365.
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Kaskaskia College placed #23 among the best general studies schools. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. About 167 general studies degrees were awarded at Kaskaskia College in the most recent year. General Studies graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $30,605 early in their careers. Kaskaskia College graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general studies from Kaskaskia College
Parkland College landed the #24 spot for general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Parkland College awarded about 131 general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general studies degree from Parkland College earn around $26,912 in the first couple years of their career. Parkland College graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans.
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Danville Area Community College came in at #25 for general studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 63 general studies students who graduated with this degree at Danville Area Community College in the most recent data year. General Studies graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $28,045 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,912.
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Rest of the Top 33 General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general studies education:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 33 schools evaluated.
- 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.
