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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois

43 Ranked Colleges
16,891 Degrees Awarded
$5,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. 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” 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Illinois

#1

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. ECC is a public institution located in Elgin, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 604 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend ECC is $4,185 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full ECC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

Lincoln Land Community College

Springfield, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln Land Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 548 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LLCC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for LLCC is $6,168 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Lincoln Land Community College

#3

Joliet Junior College

Joliet, Illinois

Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Joliet Junior College landed the #3 spot on the list. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 752 students in 2019-2020.

Joliet Junior College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Joliet Junior College is $4,693 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Joliet Junior College

#4

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Moraine Valley Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This fairly large school is located in Palos Hills, Illinois, and it awarded 978 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MVCC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Moraine Valley Community College is $2,422 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Full Moraine Valley Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#5

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Lake County. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 862 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

College of Lake County not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $4,735 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students per year to attend College of Lake County.

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

#6

Triton College

River Grove, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Triton College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. This medium-sized school is located in River Grove, Illinois, and it awarded 460 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students list, Triton College has also earned the #7 rank 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.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Triton College

#7

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Belleville, Illinois, and it awarded 470 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students list, SWIC has also earned the #19 rank 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.

Full SWIC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#8

College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

College of DuPage ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Glen Ellyn, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 759 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.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of DuPage

#9

Illinois Central College

East Peoria, Illinois

Illinois Central College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Located in East Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 947 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

ICC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for ICC is $9,578 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at ICC

#10

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois

William Rainey Harper College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,001 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Harper College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for William Rainey Harper College is $7,532 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Full Harper College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 806 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Harold Washington College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College is $2,992 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full Harold Washington College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

Rock Valley College

Rockford, Illinois

Rock Valley College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Rock Valley College is a medium-sized school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 560 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rock Valley College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rock Valley College is $7,399 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full Rock Valley College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#13

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

Oakton Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Located in Des Plaines, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 524 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Oakton Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakton Community College is $6,141 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Full Oakton Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#14

South Suburban College

South Holland, Illinois

South Suburban College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. SSC 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SSC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Suburban College is $4,746 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full South Suburban College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Wilbur Wright College is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 602 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

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 yearly cost to attend Wilbur Wright College is $2,876 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full Wilbur Wright College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, Illinois

Waubonsee Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Waubonsee Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sugar Grove, Illinois that handed out 547 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Waubonsee also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Waubonsee is $5,130 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Full Waubonsee Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#17

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

Lake Land College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois list. Located in Mattoon, Illinois, this small public school awarded 441 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Lake Land College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Land College is $4,468 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

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

#18

Danville Area Community College

Danville, Illinois

Danville Area Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. DACC is located in Danville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 192 associates’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students list, DACC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,399 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students per year to attend Danville Area Community College.

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

#19

Carl Sandburg College

Galesburg, Illinois

Carl Sandburg College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #19. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts degrees to 191 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Carl Sandburg College is $2,792 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Carl Sandburg College

City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 246 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students 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 estimated yearly cost for City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College is $4,688 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at City Colleges of Chicago - Harry S Truman College

#20

Prairie State College

Chicago Heights, Illinois

Prairie State College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. Prairie State College is a public institution located in Chicago Heights, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 255 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Prairie State College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Prairie State College is $7,669 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Prairie State College

#22

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Black Hawk College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. BHC is a public institution located in Moline, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 227 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BHC also took the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Black Hawk College is $5,706 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at BHC

#23

McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, Illinois

McHenry County College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Crystal Lake, Illinois that handed out 410 associates’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois associate degree liberal arts students list, MCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McHenry County College is $7,048 for illinois associate degree liberal arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at MCC

#24

Heartland Community College

Normal, Illinois

Heartland Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking, coming in at #24. Heartland Community College is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 563 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Heartland Community College also took the #21 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Associate Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Heartland Community College is $9,703 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Heartland Community College

City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for an Associate in Illinois ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 239 associates’s liberal arts degrees 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 yearly cost to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College is $3,689 for Illinois Associate Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Malcolm X 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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