2027 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois
Liberal Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall liberal arts education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Liberal Arts
Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 60 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $59,139 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312.
Get the full liberal arts details for Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for liberal arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $26,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Chicago
A rank of #3 makes Harper College one of the top schools for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. 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
Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at College Of Dupage, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 679 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,678 in their early career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for College Of Dupage
A rank of #5 makes Lewis University one of the top schools for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $55,718 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lewis University
College Of Lake County earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. About 1,703 liberal arts degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent 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.
Read more about the liberal arts program at College Of Lake County
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $54,302 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Joliet Junior College earned the #8 position for liberal arts this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 575 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $27,296 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full liberal arts details for Joliet Junior College
Loyola University Chicago landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 32 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Students borrow a median of $7,761 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University earned the #10 position for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 122 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,745 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $23,621 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for Illinois State University
Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for liberal arts this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,273 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250.
Get the full liberal arts details for Eastern Illinois University
Waubonsee Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. About 470 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent 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.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Waubonsee Community College
Rock Valley College placed #13 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 545 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Rock Valley College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $27,601 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,035.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Rock Valley College
Elgin Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 1,275 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $25,377 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Elgin Community College
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 73 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $42,976 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northeastern Illinois University
Lincoln Land Community College placed #16 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 375 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. Typical student debt for the program is $11,022.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Lincoln Land Community College
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 717 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,322 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,348 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Oakton Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Des Plaines. About 976 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Oakton Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Oakton Community College earn around $24,918 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
See the full liberal arts program report for Oakton Community College
Northern Illinois University came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 89 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $29,426 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,839.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Northern Illinois University
Mchenry County College came in at #20 for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. About 953 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mchenry County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $19,740. Typical student debt for the program is $6,581.
More information about a degree in liberal arts from Mchenry County College
Illinois Central College earned the #21 position for liberal arts this year. Illinois Central College is a large public school located in the suburb of East Peoria. Illinois Central College awarded about 1,093 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Illinois Central College earn around $29,845 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,656.
See the full liberal arts program report for Illinois Central College
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 934 liberal arts degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $29,168 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete this degree.
See the full liberal arts program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Morton College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best liberal arts schools. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. About 180 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Morton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,829 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the liberal arts program at Morton College
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public institution. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College awarded about 325 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $32,568 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,750.
Get the full liberal arts details for City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College awarded about 247 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $34,644. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College graduates carry a median of $13,600 in student loans.
Get the full liberal arts details for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Rest of the Top 50 Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts ranking:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
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 · 59 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.
