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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in Illinois (With Aid)

41 Ranked Colleges
14,240 Degrees Awarded
$5,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 41 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Moraine Valley Community College 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.

MVCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,422 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Moraine Valley Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MVCC

#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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #2 spot on the list. 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.

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 estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $4,735 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois
#3 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 Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 604 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,185 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Elgin Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Elgin 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 Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 698 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $2,992 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Harold Washington College.

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

#10 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 for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 427 students in 2019-2020.

Wilbur Wright College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts Report

#6

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Lincoln Land Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 452 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LLCC is $6,168 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Lincoln Land Community College Liberal Arts Report

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Waubonsee Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 474 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Waubonsee, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts Report

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Joliet Junior College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 578 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Joliet Junior College, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Joliet Junior College

#16 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 169 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harry S Truman College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Harry S Truman College

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Triton College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. 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 #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,988 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts Report

#11

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Harper College is a public institution located in Palatine, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 903 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Harper College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harper College is $7,532 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts Report

#12

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. COD 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at COD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,566 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend College of DuPage.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of DuPage

#18 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 110 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Malcolm X College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,689 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Oakton Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 517 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students 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 yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $6,141 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, South Suburban College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SSC is a small public school situated in South Holland, Illinois. It awarded 167 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

SSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,746 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend SSC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SSC

#16

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

McHenry County College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 377 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $7,048 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend MCC.

Full MCC Liberal Arts Report

#17

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Danville Area Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Danville Area Community College is a public institution located in Danville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 136 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DACC also took the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Danville Area Community College is $5,399 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Danville Area Community 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 Getting Aid list. 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 Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts Report

#19

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Lake Land College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 441 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Lake Land College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Lake Land College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lake Land College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Richard J Daley College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 170 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Richard J Daley College

#21

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

Shawnee Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ullin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 129 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Shawnee Community College is $10,242 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Shawnee Community College

#22

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. 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.

SWIC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend SWIC is $7,098 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southwestern Illinois College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 92 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College

#24

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Black Hawk College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Moline, Illinois, this small public school handed out 215 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students 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. The yearly cost to attend BHC is $5,706 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Black Hawk College

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, this small public school awarded 105 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Valley Community College is $6,378 for illinois associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Illinois Valley Community College

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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