2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
120
Ranked Colleges
37,033
Degrees Awarded
$3,900
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
With 366,996 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 37,033 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 120 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 19 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,500 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at University of Chicago
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 225 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Indiana University - Bloomington
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oakland Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 410 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Oakland Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $1,464 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakland Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,448 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,045 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harold Washington College
Out of the 120 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 711 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $-210 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.
Read more about Liberal Arts at MVCC
With a ranking of #6, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ECC is a medium-sized school located in Elgin, Illinois that handed out 931 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,273 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ECC.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Elgin Community College
Waubonsee Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 449 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Waubonsee also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $2,249 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee
With a ranking of #8, College of Lake County did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 1,446 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, College of Lake County has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $3,802 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at College of Lake County
With a ranking of #9, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 926 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wilbur Wright College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $1,736 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $9,872 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Notre Dame Liberal Arts Report
Washtenaw Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washtenaw Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 102 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $1,892 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Washtenaw Community College
Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 475 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Land Community College is $3,925 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Lincoln Land Community College
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 356 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Ivy Tech Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,213 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Ivy Tech Community College Liberal Arts Report
William Rainey Harper College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,774 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,504 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.
Full Harper College Liberal Arts Report
Delta College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $2,178 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Delta College
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 110 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,610 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Lansing Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. LCC is a public institution located in Lansing, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 502 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,929 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lansing Community College.
Full Lansing Community College Liberal Arts Report
Indiana University - South Bend ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - South Bend is a public institution located in South Bend, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,504 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana University - South Bend.
Full Indiana University - South Bend Liberal Arts Report
Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Lewis and Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 505 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $4,423 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis and Clark Community College.
Full Lewis and Clark Community College Liberal Arts Report
Ball State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 217 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts at Ball State University
Joliet Junior College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 618 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,304 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.
Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report
Henry Ford College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 215 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,310 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Henry Ford College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College
With a ranking of #23, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 808 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Oakton Community College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $5,638 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College
Lorain County Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Elyria, Ohio, and it awarded 869 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Lorain County Community College is $2,015 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Lorain County Community College Liberal Arts Report
With a ranking of #25, McHenry County College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. McHenry County College is a medium-sized public school situated in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It awarded 810 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $6,245 for great lakes region liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Liberal Arts at McHenry County College
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