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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

120 Ranked Colleges
37,033 Degrees Awarded
$5,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 37,033 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 120 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,448 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Harold Washington College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,726 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Harold Washington College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Harold Washington College

2
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oakland Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Oakland Community College is a public institution located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 410 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakland Community College also took the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,665 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Oakland Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Oakland Community College

3
College of Lake County crest
College of Lake County
Grayslake, Illinois

Out of the 120 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #3 spot on the list. College of Lake County is a public institution located in Grayslake, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,446 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,989 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at College of Lake County

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 926 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Wilbur Wright College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $2,482 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Moraine Valley Community College is located in Palos Hills, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 711 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for MVCC is $1,901 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Moraine Valley Community College

6
Waubonsee crest
Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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 449 students in 2020-2021.

Waubonsee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee Community College is $5,104 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts Report

7

Elgin Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 931 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,828 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend ECC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Elgin Community College

8
LCC crest
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lansing, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 502 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,212 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Lansing Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lansing Community College

9
Joliet Junior College crest
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 618 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $5,609 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts Report

10

William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Palatine, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 1,774 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $7,184 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Harper College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Harper College

11
MCC crest
McHenry County College
Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 810 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

MCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $7,706 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend MCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at McHenry County College

12

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 110 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,532 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cincinnati State

12
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 356 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Ivy Tech Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $7,669 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Ivy Tech Community College

14
LLCC crest
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Lincoln Land Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lincoln Land Community College is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 475 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lincoln Land Community College is $6,027 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lincoln Land Community College

15
Washtenaw Community College crest
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Washtenaw Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 102 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $3,624 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Washtenaw Community College

16
Henry Ford College crest
Henry Ford College
Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Henry Ford College is a fairly large public school situated in Dearborn, Michigan. It awarded 215 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,194 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Henry Ford College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Henry Ford College

17
Oakton Community College crest
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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oakton Community College is a public institution located in Des Plaines, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 808 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $6,423 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Oakton Community College

18

Lewis and Clark Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Godfrey, Illinois, and it awarded 505 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark Community College is $6,972 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Full Lewis and Clark Community College Liberal Arts Report

19
COD crest
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. COD is a large school located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois that handed out 848 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

COD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend COD is $6,382 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at College of DuPage

20

Lorain County Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Elyria, Ohio, and it awarded 869 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend LCCC is $2,884 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at LCCC

21

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 357 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,672 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

22
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, Michigan

Delta College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in University Center, Michigan, this medium-sized public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Delta College is $4,268 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Delta College

23

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Malcolm X College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 233 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Malcolm X College is $3,274 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Malcolm X College

24
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, Indiana

Vincennes University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Vincennes, Indiana, and it awarded 566 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vincennes University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vincennes University is $11,518 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Vincennes University

25

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 225 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for great lakes region liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full IU Bloomington Liberal Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

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