2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Liberal Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 145 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Liberal Arts in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for liberal arts. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 36 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 60 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northwestern University earn around $59,139 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for Northwestern University
University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 20 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Chicago earn around $26,094 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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University Of Notre Dame came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 18 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $45,579 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,800.
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Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 199 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,655. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $21,671 in student loans.
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Harper College earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 1,583 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $27,619. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Harper College
College Of Dupage earned the #7 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 679 liberal arts degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
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Calvin College earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Calvin College awarded about 41 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Calvin College
Lewis University landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Lewis University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $55,718. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
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Xavier University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. Xavier University awarded about 44 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Xavier University earn around $47,064 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
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College Of Lake County landed the #11 spot for liberal arts this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 1,703 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $33,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,687 to complete this degree.
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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 12 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917.
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Joliet Junior College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 575 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $27,296. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
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Loyola University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 32 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,761.
See the full liberal arts program report for Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 122 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Illinois State University earn around $31,745 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,621.
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Eastern Illinois University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 92 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,273 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
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Waubonsee Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 470 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $27,597 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,250.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Waubonsee Community College
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 12 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $32,604 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,784 in student loans.
See the full liberal arts program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Rock Valley College came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. There were roughly 545 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Rock Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $27,601. Rock Valley College graduates carry a median of $7,035 in student loans.
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Elgin Community College placed #20 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Elgin Community College awarded about 1,275 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $25,377 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete this degree.
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Marian University Indiana earned the #21 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Marian University Indiana awarded about 13 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $49,784. Typical student debt for the program is $28,633.
See the full liberal arts program report for Marian University Indiana
University Of Southern Indiana placed #22 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Evansville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $34,573 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,707.
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Macomb Community College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. About 535 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Macomb Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $29,791 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,250.
See the full liberal arts program report for Macomb Community College
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #24 position for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 73 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $42,976. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
See the full liberal arts program report for Northeastern Illinois University
Ball State University placed #25 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 190 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Ball State University earn around $27,724 in the first couple years of their career. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $26,965 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Ball State University
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts education:
Narrow Liberal Arts Schools by State
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 145 schools evaluated.
- 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.
