2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
162
Ranked Colleges
60,741
Degrees Awarded
$4,500
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Liberal Arts General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 1st of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 60,741 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,415 and $19,554 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 162 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 157 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive undergraduate 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Chicago
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harold Washington College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 1,599 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harold Washington College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $3,200 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Harold Washington College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Out of the 162 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 67 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $5,670 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Out of the 162 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 225 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full IU Bloomington Liberal Arts General Studies Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oakland Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 811 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Oakland Community College is also in the top of our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakland Community College
College of Lake County did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Grayslake, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,475 students in 2020-2021.
College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,248 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full College of Lake County Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 261 students in 2020-2021.
IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. MVCC is a fairly large public school situated in Palos Hills, Illinois. It awarded 1,141 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Moraine Valley Community College is $896 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #9, Waubonsee Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 505 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Waubonsee is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $3,782 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Waubonsee.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Waubonsee
With a ranking of #10, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 1,101 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $2,801 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Wilbur Wright College
Elgin Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elgin, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 931 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, ECC is in the top on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $2,878 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full ECC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Washtenaw Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 1,473 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Washtenaw Community College is $3,376 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Washtenaw Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Joliet Junior College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 752 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Joliet Junior College is $5,045 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College
Lansing Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. LCC is a fairly large school located in Lansing, Michigan that handed out 504 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend LCC is $6,081 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full LCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #15, Indiana University - South Bend did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.
Indiana University - South Bend also claimed a top spot on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - South Bend is $6,544 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Indiana University - South Bend
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cincinnati State is a medium-sized public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 175 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Cincinnati State is $4,880 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 522 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,080 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend LLCC.
Full LLCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
With a ranking of #18, Delta College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 416 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Delta College is $3,988 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Delta College
With a ranking of #19, William Rainey Harper College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,873 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
Harper College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,398 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William Rainey Harper College.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at William Rainey Harper College
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ivy Tech Community College is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 6,224 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Ivy Tech Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Ivy Tech Community College
Henry Ford College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Henry Ford College is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 429 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Henry Ford College is $3,019 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Henry Ford College Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Lorain County Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Elyria, Ohio, this medium-sized public school handed out 871 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for LCCC is $2,619 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full LCCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report
Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Carl Sandburg College is located in Galesburg, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 475 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,250 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College
Lewis and Clark Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small school located in Godfrey, Illinois that handed out 513 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Lewis and Clark Community College is $4,906 for Great Lakes Region Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Lewis and Clark Community College
City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harry S Truman College is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 440 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,425 for great lakes region liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College
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