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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

55 Ranked Colleges
23,860 Degrees Awarded
$3,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Illinois, there were 23,860 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 55 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 12 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $2,712 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Chicago.

The impressive 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Chicago Liberal Arts Report

#2

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 682 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

MVCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $340 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Full MVCC Liberal Arts Report

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Elgin Community College is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,401 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,384 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at ECC

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,206 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Wilbur Wright College is $2,127 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wilbur Wright College

#5

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. College of Lake County is a fairly large school located in Grayslake, Illinois that handed out 2,180 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, College of Lake County has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $3,742 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,433 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Harold Washington College is $2,452 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Harold Washington College

#7

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, College of DuPage did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. COD is located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 621 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, COD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of DuPage is $5,478 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full COD Liberal Arts Report

#8

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 475 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $2,818 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee

#9

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Palatine, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,649 students in 2019-2020.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Harper College is $5,913 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at William Rainey Harper College

#10

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 452 students in 2019-2020.

LLCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend LLCC is $3,915 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LLCC

#11

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. River Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 335 students in 2019-2020.

Triton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,546 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Triton College

#12

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 578 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,699 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 504 students in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,404 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 321 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,251 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Holland, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 346 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SSC is $3,866 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SSC

#16

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Black Hawk College is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 215 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for BHC is $3,234 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full BHC Liberal Arts Report

#17

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 952 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $5,195 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

#18

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 658 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,857 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts Report

#19

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. ICC is a medium-sized public school situated in East Peoria, Illinois. It awarded 745 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, ICC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Central College is $7,656 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full ICC Liberal Arts Report

#20

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Danville Area Community College is a small school located in Danville, Illinois that handed out 252 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Danville Area Community College is $4,416 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Danville Area Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 482 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Richard J Daley College is $2,310 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Richard J Daley College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olive-Harvey College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 273 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $4,115 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#23

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Kankakee, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 197 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,202 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kankakee Community College.

Full Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts Report

#24

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 723 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $5,620 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at McHenry County College

With a ranking of #25, Illinois Valley Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Oglesby, Illinois, and it awarded 105 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,715 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at IVCC

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.

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