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2022 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

57 Ranked Colleges
27,169 Degrees Awarded
$3,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 559,661 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 27,169 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,138 and $14,095 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 57 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 166 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,712 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at UChicago

#2

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Moraine Valley Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Palos Hills, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 978 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, MVCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $340 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MVCC

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Elgin, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,401 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

ECC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend ECC is $2,384 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Elgin Community College

#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1,381 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wilbur Wright College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,127 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

#5

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Grayslake, Illinois, and it awarded 2,211 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for College of Lake County is $3,742 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at College of Lake County

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,541 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,452 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Harold Washington College

#7

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. COD is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 759 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

COD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend COD is $5,478 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at COD

#8

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Waubonsee is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 554 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Waubonsee is $2,818 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Waubonsee Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#9

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

William Rainey Harper College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,747 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,913 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at William Rainey Harper College

#10

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. LLCC is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln Land Community College is $3,915 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at LLCC

#11

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in River Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 460 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Triton College, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,546 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 752 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Joliet Junior College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $4,699 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Joliet Junior College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24 in overall quality

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 581 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harry S Truman College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,404 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Harry S Truman College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Malcolm X College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 450 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,251 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Malcolm X College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in South Holland, Illinois, and it awarded 357 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SSC is $3,866 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BHC is a small public school situated in Moline, Illinois. It awarded 227 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,234 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BHC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Black Hawk College

#17

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Des Plaines, Illinois, and it awarded 959 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Oakton Community College is $5,195 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakton Community College

#18

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mattoon, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 658 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $2,857 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Lake Land College

#18

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 327 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $1,986 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carl Sandburg College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

#20

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois Central College is a medium-sized school located in East Peoria, Illinois that handed out 947 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

ICC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Central College is $7,656 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at ICC

#21

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 308 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,416 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DACC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Danville Area Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 534 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $2,310 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Richard J Daley College

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Olive-Harvey College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 303 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $4,115 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, Illinois

Kankakee Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Kankakee Community College is located in Kankakee, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 227 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Kankakee Community College is $5,202 for Illinois Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kankakee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#25

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. MCC is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 756 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,620 for illinois liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at McHenry County College

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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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