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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

55 Ranked Colleges
23,860 Degrees Awarded
$4,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

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 $30-$48k” 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 $30-$48k” 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. 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 Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,800 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UChicago

#2

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

Out of the 55 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 682 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $1,513 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elgin Community College is $3,717 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts Report

#4

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,180 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

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

Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,206 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,204 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,433 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,155 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#7

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $6,497 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harper College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at William Rainey Harper College

#8

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 621 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend COD is $6,455 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of DuPage

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lincoln Land Community College is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 452 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for LLCC is $4,819 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Liberal Arts Report

#10

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 475 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $3,432 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Waubonsee Liberal Arts Report

#11

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. 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 $4,579 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts Report

#12

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 578 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,134 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 321 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,784 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Liberal Arts Report

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in South Holland, Illinois, this small public school awarded 346 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, SSC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SSC is $5,169 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts Report

#23 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 504 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,468 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harry S Truman College

#16

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Black Hawk College is located in Moline, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 215 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for BHC is $4,827 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Black Hawk College Liberal Arts Report

#17

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 952 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $5,985 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $5,246 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Lake Land College is a small school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 658 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,007 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Lake Land College

#20

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, this small public school handed out 197 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kankakee Community College is $6,045 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kankakee Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 232 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College is $5,764 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 482 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,294 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Richard J Daley College

#23

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois Central College is a medium-sized school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 745 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend ICC is $8,527 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at ICC

Illinois Valley Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. IVCC is located in Oglesby, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 105 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,682 for Illinois Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Full Illinois Valley Community College Liberal Arts Report

#25

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,143 for illinois liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

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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