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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

99 Ranked Colleges
27,528 Degrees Awarded
$4,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 365,980 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 38,838 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 27,528 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,508 and $17,812 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 99 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MVCC is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 682 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MVCC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $1,513 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MVCC

#2

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 99 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Oakland Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 470 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland Community College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $1,614 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakland Community College

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 604 students in 2019-2020.

ECC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $3,717 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ECC Liberal Arts Report

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 831 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,136 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 99 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #5 spot on the list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,804 students in 2019-2020.

Cuyahoga Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,996 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 427 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $3,204 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Wilbur Wright College

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 698 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $3,155 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College Liberal Arts Report

#8

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. William Rainey Harper College is a fairly large public school situated in Palatine, Illinois. It awarded 903 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,497 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harper College.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts Report

#9

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

College of DuPage came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of DuPage is a public institution located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 621 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,455 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend COD.

Full College of DuPage Liberal Arts Report

#10

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 452 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LLCC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend LLCC is $4,819 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LLCC

#11

Delta College

University Center, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

Delta College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in University Center, Michigan, and it awarded 229 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Delta College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $2,849 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Delta College

Lorain County Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lorain County Community College is located in Elyria, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 937 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for LCCC is $2,915 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LCCC Liberal Arts Report

#13

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 474 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $3,432 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Waubonsee Community College

#14

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Triton College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 335 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,579 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Triton College.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts Report

#15

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Joliet Junior College is a fairly large public school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 578 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Joliet Junior College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,134 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Columbus State Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 1,340 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbus State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Columbus State Community College is $5,861 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Columbus State Community College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Malcolm X College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 110 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,784 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College.

Full Malcolm X College Liberal Arts Report

#18

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Suburban College is located in South Holland, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 167 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend South Suburban College is $5,169 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at South Suburban College

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 169 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Harry S Truman College is $4,468 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#20

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #20, Kalamazoo Valley Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 251 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $3,842 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

#21

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 276 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,039 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College

#22

St Clair County Community College

Port Huron, Michigan

St Clair County Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Port Huron, Michigan, and it awarded 563 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend St Clair County Community College is $3,930 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at SC4

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this medium-sized public school awarded 130 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,292 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Full Cincinnati State Liberal Arts Report

#24

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. BHC is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 215 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,827 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BHC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Black Hawk College

#25

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Rapids Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 601 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand Rapids Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Rapids Community College is $7,267 for great lakes region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Grand Rapids Community College Liberal Arts Report

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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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