2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 216 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $27,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $29,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Lake Land College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,346. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $24,754 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,346 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $22,700. That is a strong return on a $6,800 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $34,164. That is a strong return on a $11,022 median debt.
Triton College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Rock Valley College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,035 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rock Valley College earn a median of $27,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,035 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $22,915. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,734 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,158. That is a strong return on a $10,734 median debt.
Oakton Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $24,918 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $27,529. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Students borrow a median of $14,665 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $5,900 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $5,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, with out-of-state students paying around $11,028. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Morton College earn a median of $31,829 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $28,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,362. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,721. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,759. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,511 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $27,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $25,377. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $28,678 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe County Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Monroe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $30,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $26,712. That is a strong return on a $8,125 median debt.
Kishwaukee College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $13,680. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $21,090 early in their careers. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
Narrow Liberal Arts General Studies Schools by State
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 216 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 216 ranked schools only.
- 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.
