2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Illinois Valley Community College, which ranked #2. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,800. Liberal Arts graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $22,700 early in their careers. Set against $6,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $24,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,022. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Carl Sandburg College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,529. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $60,509. Set against $5,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $24,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,035 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $27,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,035 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $8,125 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $26,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.
South Suburban College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, while out-of-state students pay about $12,683. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $28,465. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $21,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Morton College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spoon River College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.
Elgin Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $25,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $28,045. Set against $7,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,403. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,437. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,348 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $28,678. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,581 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $19,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,066. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $30,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $8,100. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,390. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
