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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$5,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. 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. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 16,891 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,469 and $14,548 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 43 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Illinois (With Aid)

#1

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Moraine Valley Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Located in Palos Hills, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 978 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

MVCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $2,422 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Lake County. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Grayslake, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 862 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

College of Lake County also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend College of Lake County is $4,735 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

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

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 604 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECC is $4,185 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full Elgin Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #4 spot on the list. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 806 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harold Washington College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Harold Washington College is $2,992 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Harold Washington College

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 #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 602 associates’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 #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Wilbur Wright College

#6

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 548 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

LLCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $6,168 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend LLCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at LLCC

#7

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Waubonsee is a public institution located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 547 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Waubonsee Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Joliet Junior College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Joliet Junior College is a public institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 752 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $4,693 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Joliet Junior College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#9

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

Triton College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in River Grove, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 460 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Triton College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Triton College is $4,988 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Triton College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

With a ranking of #9, City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 246 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid list, Harry S Truman College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Harry S Truman College

#11

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois

William Rainey Harper College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Harper College is a fairly large school located in Palatine, Illinois that handed out 1,001 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Harper College also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $7,532 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid per year to attend Harper College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Harper College

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 239 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Malcolm X College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,689 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

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

#12

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, this large public school awarded 759 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at COD, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for College of DuPage is $7,566 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of DuPage

#14

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oakton Community College is located in Des Plaines, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 524 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Oakton Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $6,141 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid per year to attend Oakton Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Oakton Community College

#15

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, South Suburban College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. South Suburban College is a public institution located in South Holland, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 178 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SSC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for SSC is $4,746 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. MCC is a public institution located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 410 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $7,048 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full McHenry County College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. DACC is a public institution located in Danville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 192 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid list, DACC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DACC is $5,399 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full DACC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#18

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small public school awarded 191 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Carl Sandburg College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 147 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College is $4,574 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Olive-Harvey College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#20

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, this small public school handed out 441 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Land College is $4,468 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Full Lake Land College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 222 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College is $3,015 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J Daley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#22

Shawnee Community College

Ullin, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Shawnee Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Ullin, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 186 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Shawnee Community College is $10,242 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

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

#23

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southwestern Illinois College is a public institution located in Belleville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 470 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SWIC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SWIC is $7,098 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwestern Illinois College

City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kennedy-King College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 120 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kennedy-King College is $5,709 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Kennedy-King College

#25

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Moline, Illinois, this small public school handed out 227 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

BHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Black Hawk College is $5,706 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students with aid.

Full BHC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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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