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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

41 Ranked Colleges
14,240 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 14,240 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 41 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 604 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

ECC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $6,022 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at ECC

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 831 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of Lake County, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $6,232 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#3

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Moraine Valley Community College is a fairly large school located in Palos Hills, Illinois that handed out 682 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $5,411 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Moraine Valley Community College

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 698 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $5,208 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College landed the #5 spot on the list. Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 427 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Wilbur Wright College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,911 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wilbur Wright College.

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

#6

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Joliet Junior College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 578 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $4,482 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report

#7

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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 903 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Harper College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $9,539 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at William Rainey Harper College

#8

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Triton College is a public institution located in River Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 335 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Triton College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $7,436 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Triton College.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts Report

#9

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 452 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $7,895 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at LLCC

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 169 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $7,105 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Harry S Truman College

#11

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. College of DuPage is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 621 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

COD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend COD is $9,558 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at COD

#12

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 474 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee Community College is $6,779 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Waubonsee Community College

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 110 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $5,988 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College.

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

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Oakton Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 517 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oakton Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $8,152 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

South Suburban College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SSC is a small public school situated in South Holland, Illinois. It awarded 167 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, SSC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SSC is $6,258 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 170 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Richard J Daley College is $5,247 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Richard J Daley College

#17

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Lake Land College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Lake Land College is a small school located in Mattoon, Illinois that handed out 441 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $6,770 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Lake Land College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 117 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $6,390 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#19

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

McHenry County College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. McHenry County College is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 377 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, MCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,060 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend MCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

#20

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Black Hawk College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 215 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $7,007 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Black Hawk College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Black Hawk College

#21

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. East Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 745 students in 2019-2020.

ICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $11,138 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Illinois Central College Liberal Arts Report

#22

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Kankakee Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kankakee Community College is a public institution located in Kankakee, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 108 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kankakee Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kankakee Community College is $8,158 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Kankakee Community College

#23

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Danville, Illinois, and it awarded 136 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DACC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DACC is $7,443 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full DACC Liberal Arts Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Kennedy-King College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 92 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Kennedy-King College is $7,737 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College Liberal Arts Report

#25

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Belleville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 470 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $48-$75k list, SWIC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,720 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southwestern Illinois College.

Full Southwestern Illinois College Liberal Arts Report

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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